ATA among groups supporting Corker’s bill to examine tariffs

From Transport Topics

American Trucking Associations, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers are among nearly five dozen transportation and business groups supporting a U.S. Senate bill that would require Congress to authorize the president’s tariffs based on national security concerns.

The legislation, introduced recently by Tennessee Republican Sen. Bob Corker and backed by a dozen colleagues, is in response to President Donald Trump’s national security argument used to impose tariffs on steel and aluminum.

The lawmakers warn companies in their states may relocate their operations. This week, for instance, Milwaukee-based Harley-Davidson indicated it would transfer certain production overseas because of cost increases stemming from retaliatory tariffs. Trump was quick to criticize the motorcycle company’s decision.

The transportation and business groups argue the new tariffs may hinder commerce long term, and they also are sounding the alarm over the administration’s indication it might impose tariffs on imported vehicles and auto parts. The president has called on the Commerce Department to determine whether light trucks, as well as auto parts, classify as a national security threat under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act.

“Approximately $350 billion of imports would be affected, and retaliation on the same order would be expected,” the groups wrote to the Senate June 26. “The U.S. auto industry — the nation’s largest manufacturing sector — and many downstream industries would be profoundly harmed by this action, as would sectors such as agriculture and chemical manufacturing that would be targeted in retaliation.”

See the full story from Transport Topics online.