AED: Congress must tell the Trump Administration to reconsider Sec. 232 tariffs on heavy equipment

AED released the following statement on the updated tariff lines to the Section 232 steel and aluminum tariff lists and urges AED members to get involved with the process: 

On August 15, the U.S. Department of Commerce released a Federal Register notice announcing it will add 407 new tariff lines to the Section 232 steel/aluminum tariff lists as derivative products, including many items AED members manufacture and distribute as well as key components and parts. These items are now subject to a 50 percent tariff on their steel and aluminum content. The non-steel and non-aluminum content will remain subject to the reciprocal and other applicable tariffs.

This will have a substantial impact on the equipment industry and your customers, unnecessarily driving up costs and creating uncertainty. Consequently, AED is launching a grassroots push to urge members of Congress to pressure the Trump administration to reconsider including construction and agriculture equipment and related supplies in the Section 232 steel and aluminum tariffs.

While AED is doing what we can do to ensure the Trump administration and congressional leaders know the impact tariffs are having on our industry, your members of Congress need to hear from you. Follow the steps below to urge your Senators and Representatives to tell the administration about the negative impact on your company and your customers from its recent actions to include heavy equipment in the derivative products of the Section 232 steel and aluminum tariffs.

1. 1. If you don't know your U.S. Senator or Member of Congress, go HERE.
   2. Copy the template into the body of the email. Please personalize and fill in pertinent details where indicated.
   3. Locate the email addresses for the trade staffers of your Senators (HERE) and members of Congress (HERE). (Remember, if you operate in multiple locations, you should send to those offices also). Feel free to send to established contacts you may already have in congressional offices.
   4. Insert staffers email addresses and blind copy AED's Manager of Government Affairs Matt Lamy ([email protected]) and/or your AED Regional Manager.
   5. Pass along any response you receive to AED staff for follow up.
   6. If you have any questions or need assistance, please reach out to AED's Manager of Government Affairs Matt Lamy ([email protected]).

There's too much at stake for the industry and your company not to take a few minutes to engage in the process.