MEMA Joins Other Trade Associations Urging Trump Administration to Avoid Steel Tariffs

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) has signed a letter warning the Trump administration that steel tariffs would hurt the U.S. economy.

In addition to MEMA, the letter is signed by 24 other trade associations spanning a wide range of industries, including automotive, manufacturing, and agriculture. The letter comes on the heels of recently released reports by the Department of Commerce that recommend President Trump impose steep tariffs on steel and aluminum imports.

“[O]ur industries are worried that all of the remedies recommended are overly-broad and will have severe detrimental impact on downstream users of steel and aluminum. We understand your goal of supporting these two important sectors of our domestic manufacturing base. However, it is our belief that global tariffs and quotas on imports of these products will injure the purchasers of these products and will lead to the loss of thousands of American jobs,” the MEMA letter noted.

MEMA has been a vocal opponent of tariffs on steel and aluminum. In a separate letter to the White House, MEMA President and CEO Steve Handschuh outlined the impact of tariffs on the motor vehicle parts manufacturing industry.

“Many specialty materials and components imported by motor vehicle suppliers are used by hundreds of vehicle parts manufacturers.  Suppliers’ access to these specialized products is critical to the industry and our national economy,” Handschuh said in the letter.

“MEMA member companies operate in an integrated global supply chain with both suppliers and customers inside and outside of the United States. This model has allowed for continued growth in motor vehicle production as well as U.S. employment in our sector… [D]isruptions to supply chains or increases in production costs will not contribute to the national security of the United States,” Handschuh added.