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