OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Letter to the Hon. Lawrence Kudlow, Dir. of the U.S. National Economic Council - Walorski Leads Bipartisan Letter Signed by 159 Members of Congress Warning Against Auto Tariffs

Letter

By: Carol Miller, Ron Kind, Derek Kilmer, Cathy Rodgers, Dan Newhouse, Rick Larsen, Suzan DelBene, Gerry Connolly, Jennifer Wexton, Morgan Griffith, Don Beyer, Jr., Ben Cline, Elaine Luria, Ben McAdams, Filemon Vela, Jr., Colin Allred, Eddie Johnson, Henry Cuellar, Roger Williams, Kenny Marchant, Will Hurd, Pete Olson, Joaquin Castro, Jodey Arrington, Vicente Gonzalez, Mac Thornberry, Ron Wright, John Ratcliffe, Van Taylor, Steve Cohen, David Kustoff, Jim Cooper, Chuck Fleischmann, Phil Roe, Dusty Johnson, Jim Clyburn, Ralph Norman, Jr., William Timmons, Jeff Duncan, Joe Cunningham, Kurt Schrader, Greg Walden, Suzanne Bonamici, Kendra Horn, Tom Cole, Steve Stivers, Warren Davidson, Bill Johnson, Jim Jordan, Brad Wenstrup, Steve Chabot, Adriano Espaillat, Hakeem Jeffries, Grace Meng, Gregory Meeks, Kathleen Rice, Thomas Suozzi, Xochitl Torres Small, Albio Sires, Joshua Gottheimer, Jeff Van Drew, Adrian Smith, Donald Bacon, Kelly Armstrong, Ted Budd, Mark Walker, G. K. Butterfield, Jr., Steven Palazzo, Bennie Thompson, Trent Kelly, Billy Long, Vicky Hartzler, Ann Wagner, Lacy Clay, Jr., Tom Emmer, Brenda Lawrence, Debbie Dingell, Haley Stevens, Paul Mitchell, Tim Walberg, Fred Upton, John Moolenaar, Bill Huizenga, Jack Bergman, Mike Johnson, Andy Barr, Hal Rogers, Thomas Massie, James Comer, Jr., Ron Estes, Steven Watkins, Jr., Roger Marshall, Trey Hollingsworth III, Larry Bucshon, Susan Brooks, Jim Baird, Darin LaHood, Cheri Bustos, Adam Kinzinger, John Shimkus, Bill Foster, Brad Schneider, Danny Davis, Mike Simpson, Dave Loebsack, David Scott, Barry Loudermilk, Austin Scott, Rob Woodall, Lucy McBath, Hank Johnson, Jr., Drew Ferguson, Sanford Bishop, Jr., Buddy Carter, Donna Shalala, Ted Deutch, Charlie Crist, Jr., Gus Bilirakis, Stephanie Murphy, Al Lawson, Jr., John Rutherford, Neal Dunn, Jim Himes, Joe Courtney, Ed Perlmutter, Scott Tipton, Susan Davis, Scott Peters, Harley Rouda, Alan Lowenthal, Lou Correa, Katie Porter, Nanette Barragán, Ken Calvert, Mark Takano, Raul Ruiz, Norma Torres, Jimmy Gomez, Pete Aguilar, Tony Cárdenas, Julia Brownley, Salud Carbajal, T.J. Cox, Jimmy Panetta, Ro Khanna, Jim Costa, Ami Bera, Tom McClintock, David Schweikert, Andy Biggs, Tom O'Halleran, Steve Womack, Rick Crawford, Terri Sewell, Gary Palmer, Martha Roby, Bradley Byrne, Jackie Walorski
Date: May 7, 2019
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Business and Consumers Trade

Dear Mr. Kudlow:

We understand that the Commerce Department's Section 232 investigation on the national security implications of imports of automobiles and auto parts has been completed and delivered to the President. We support efforts to increase manufacturing jobs and our manufacturing base here in America. However, we are convinced that the products hard-working Americans in the auto sector design, build, sell, and service are not a threat to our national security. We strongly urge you to advise the President against imposing trade restrictions that could harm the auto sector and the American economy.

American auto workers, parts suppliers and retailers, dealers, vehicle service providers, and millions of consumers depend on a healthy and competitive U.S. auto industry. As you know, this vital sector employs nearly four percent of our total private sector workforce and is a key engine that powers our economy. However, if tariffs were to be implemented, new vehicle prices will likely increase, threatening hundreds of thousands of jobs.

We are also concerned that vehicles outside of the intended scope of the investigation will be subject to tariffs. Parts used in passenger vehicles may overlap with motorcycles, recreational vehicles, construction equipment, heavy-duty trucks, farming equipment, powersports vehicles, and others. Additionally, inevitable retaliatory tariffs from countries around the world, including our close allies, will cause further harm to American farmers, manufacturers, and consumers.

Again, we support policies that benefit our manufacturing sector. However, American auto manufacturers, parts suppliers and retailers, dealers, and vehicle service providers have not asked for and do not need protection. Tariffs on autos will raise prices for American consumers and lower demand, ultimately leading to decreased U.S. production, investment and employment. We urge you to do everything you can to avoid trade restrictions that would negatively impact the U.S. auto sector and undermine our economic security.

Sincerely,


Source
arrow_upward