MEMA Opposes U.S. Reinstatement of Tariffs on Aluminum from Canada

Bill Long, President and CEO of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association, issued the following statement on President Trump’s plan to reimpose Section 232 tariffs on Canadian aluminum.

President Trump’s announcement to impose Section 232 tariffs on Canadian aluminum will place greater financial hardship on U.S. vehicle parts manufacturers at a time when the industry is trying to recover from plant shutdowns and a declining economy. MEMA has been a strong advocate and supporter of the Trump administration’s historic U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). We are disappointed with the tariff announcement, coming so soon after USMCA entered into force. 

Our 1000-member motor vehicle parts manufacturers, with over 871,000 employees across the country, are in the midst of a continuing national public health and economic crisis. These are difficult times, and many companies are struggling to maintain payrolls. The last thing companies need are additional tariff increases on necessary materials. Bringing back unilateral tariffs on aluminum from Canada is unwarranted and will harm a key ally. The action will also adversely impact already suffering U.S. consumers by raising the costs of new vehicles as well as parts necessary to repair and maintain motor vehicles.