Press Releases and Statements Archives - Page 25 of 107

NFTC Announces Formation of Alliance for Competitive Steel and Aluminum Trade

Posted on March 6, 2018 by dcadmin

Washington D.C. – The National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) today announced the formation of the Alliance for Competitive Steel and Aluminum Trade, a group of concerned downstream users of steel and aluminum and competitive U.S. exporters.

The Alliance, whose membership includes over 30 sectoral associations representing a vast cross-section of American manufacturers and farmers, will meet with members of Congress and the Administration to express their concern about the downstream effects of the proposed tariffs on imports of steel and aluminum announced by President Trump last week and the potential for foreign retaliation against the President’s action.

“Our alliance represents some of the most competitive industries in the U.S. economy, and we are deeply concerned about the effects that these tariffs will have on industries and companies that use steel and aluminum,” said Rufus Yerxa, President of the National Foreign Trade Council. “We are also concerned about the retaliation against America’s most competitive exporters. This ‘double whammy’ of higher prices to our domestic producers and retaliation against our exporters will endanger tens of thousands of quality American jobs.”

In a policy paper also released today, the Alliance outlined the member’s concerns regarding the proposed tariffs, including the following:

Damage to downstream users and American consumers;
Damage to U.S. exports; and
Damage to U.S. economic growth.

To read the full text of the policy paper, as well as the full membership of the Alliance, click here.

###

About the NFTC

Serving America’s Global Businesses Since 1914– The National Foreign Trade Council (www.nftc.org) is a leading business organization advocating an open, rules- based global trading system. Founded in 1914 by a broad-based group of American companies, the NFTC now serves hundreds of member companies through its offices in Washington and New York.
Follow us on:

NFTC Statement on Steel and Aluminum Tariffs

Posted on March 1, 2018January 4, 2023 by dcadmin

Washington D.C. – National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) President Rufus Yerxa today issued the following statement regarding the President’s decision to implement tariffs on imports of steel and aluminum:

“The many manufacturing and exporting companies of NFTC are gravely concerned by today’s announcement.

“These are massive tariff hikes and they are going to raise costs for many of our world class industries like autos, machinery and equipment, oil and gas, and construction. These are all huge sectors of the economy, and the negative impacts on them will surely outweigh any benefits to the steel and aluminum industries.

“In addition, the use of a sweeping national security justification will lead many countries to retaliate against our most competitive exporters and will undermine our legitimacy in the WTO, NATO, and other global alliances. Other countries will retaliate to defend their ‘national security’ whether on agriculture, computers or airplanes.

“Finally, imposing massive new costs on American industry and the American taxpayer will negate the positive benefits from the recent tax cuts and regulatory reform. This is not the way to solve the structural problems that the steel and aluminum industries face.”

###

About the NFTC

NFTC Among Leading Industry Groups Urging Administration to Consider Effects of Import Restrictions on Steel and Aluminum

Posted on February 27, 2018 by dcadmin

In letter, leading industry groups urge the Administration to consider downstream effects of implementing tariffs or quotas on imports of steel and aluminum.

Washington D.C. – The National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) today joined other leading industry associations in urging the Administration to consider the downstream effects of instituting broad tariffs on imports of steel and aluminum in an attempt to curb global overcapacity.

The letter, signed by a broad sector of steel and aluminum consuming industry groups, highlights the concerns of U.S. manufacturers, exporters, and farmers, about the likely adverse effects of this relief on their industries. “After reviewing the Reports, our 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.”

Rufus Yerxa, President of the NFTC, added “We hope the President will weigh the adverse impact of these onerous restrictions on many downstream industries and will instead look for other ways of addressing concerns about global overcapacity in these sectors.”

Among the concerns cited in the letter are:

Increasing costs of steel and aluminum will injure U.S.-based users of these products, leading to the loss of thousands of American jobs.
Actions of this type will inevitably lead to retaliatory actions affecting U.S. manufacturers, farmers, and commodity exports, by our trading partners.
Implementing broad import restrictions on steel and aluminum will serve as a drag on overall economic growth and risk the benefits of the Administration’s tax reform and regulatory agenda.

Full text of the letter:

February 27, 2018

The President
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20500

Dear Mr. President: As representatives of thousands of businesses across the United States, we are concerned with the recently released reports by the Department of Commerce entitled “The Effects of Imports of Steel on the National Security” and “The Effects of Imports of Aluminum on the National Security” (collectively, the Reports).

After reviewing the Reports, our 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. Trade restrictions of this nature and magnitude will therefore lead to more downstream steel and aluminum-containing products being imported into the U.S. Historical and current data shows that the remedies prescribed in the Reports will significantly raise input costs for industries that use these products. Further, as steel and aluminum costs continue to rise and availability decreases, it will impede the ability of downstream manufacturers and the suppliers and retailers reliant upon them to reinvest in innovation and their workforce. Finally, actions of this type will inevitably result in trade retaliation by our trading partners, and such retaliation will likely target U.S. exports abroad, including manufacturers, agricultural and commodity exporters and even our services industries. Thank you for your efforts to support manufacturing in America. The U.S. economy is starting to see the benefits of the Administration’s tax reform and regulatory agenda. However, we believe that all options provided in the Reports will significantly curtail job growth for downstream users, which are cumulatively far larger in terms of employment than steel and aluminum. Such trade measures will serve as a drag on overall U.S. economic growth and far outweigh any benefit to steel and aluminum producers.

We urge you instead to look for better solutions to legitimate concerns about global trade in these products that will benefit both producers and users. Sincerely,

Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute
Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers
American Chemistry Council
American Petroleum Institute
American Soybean Association
American Supply Association
Association of Equipment Manufacturers
Association of Global Automakers
Can Manufacturers Institute
Grocery Manufacturers Association
Industrial Fasteners Institute
Midwest Food Processors Association
Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association
National Council of Farmer Cooperatives
National Electrical Manufacturers Association
National Foreign Trade Council
National Pork Producers Council
National Tooling and Machining Association
Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, Inc.
Pet Food Institute
Precision Machined Products Association
Precision Metalforming Association
Shelf-Stable Food Processors Association
Truck & Engine Manufacturers Association
U.S. Wheat Associates

Cc.
The Honorable Robert Lighthizer, United States Trade Representative
The Honorable Wilbur Ross, The Secretary of the Department of Commerce of the United States
The Honorable Gary Cohn, Director of the National Economic Council

###

About the NFTC

NFTC Statement on Section 232 Reports on Steel and Aluminum

Posted on February 16, 2018 by dcadmin

Washington D.C. – National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) President Rufus Yerxa released the following statement today following the release by the Commerce Department of the Section 232 Reports on Steel and Aluminum.

“The NFTC is gravely concerned with the Commerce Department’s recommendations to the President to implement sweeping tariffs and quotas on imports of steel and aluminum in the name of national security. We urge the President to reject these recommendations and work with Congress and the entire business community—not just these two industries – to determine how best to address legitimate concerns relating to overcapacity or unfair trade in these sectors.

“There is no doubt that imposing trade restrictions of such magnitude will cause more harm than good to our economy, raising costs to downstream industries that use steel and aluminum, as well as to the ultimate consumers. These sectors are far greater than steel and aluminum in terms of manufacturing output, jobs and exports. This action ignores their interests. Moreover, using “national security” as a pretense to impose broad import protection for entire sectors of our economy is clearly inconsistent with our international obligations. If allowed to stand, it would open the door for other countries to use similar measures against our competitive exports.

“While there are legitimate concerns regarding the adverse effects of global overcapacity or unfair trade, there are other ways to address these problems, including through international negotiations and existing trade remedies designed for that purpose. The actions proposed today are the wrong way to go about it, and will end up hurting our workers, producers and consumers.”

###

About the NFTC

NFTC Applauds Effort by 70 Countries to Move WTO E-Commerce Agenda Forward

Posted on December 13, 2017October 13, 2022 by dcadmin

Buenos Aires, Argentina – National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) President Rufus Yerxa released the following statement with regard to developments in electronic commerce (e-commerce) following the conclusion of the World Trade Organization’s 11th Ministerial Conference in Buenos Aires, Argentina:

“The outcome of this Ministerial was the most promising result in years for the future of the digital economy and e-commerce work at the WTO. The fact that 70 countries, both developing and developed, are supporting a positive agenda to create a better environment for a digital trade framework is a tremendous boost for the e-commerce economy. It is an indication that countries around the globe are realizing how much new technologies drive entrepreneurship and benefit businesses of all sizes.

“This announcement signals that development is best enhanced by pursuing gold standard government policies and implementing programs that give local businesses, organizations and workers access to global customers, talent and partnerships.

“We are very pleased that the U.S. government is a part of this effort and thank Ambassador Lighthizer and his team for their support of the WTO’s e-commerce agenda during this Ministerial.

“We also applaud the WTO decision today to extend its long-standing moratorium on e-commerce tariffs,” added Yerxa. “E-commerce protectionism would be very harmful to consumers and will only serve to isolate countries from this fast-growing technological revolution, so this was a very sensible decision.”

###

About the NFTC

NFTC Applauds Bipartisan Push by U.S. Governors to Modernize and Increase De Minimis in NAFTA Negotiations

Posted on December 4, 2017 by dcadmin

Ahead of December NAFTA meetings, Governors call on negotiators to raise de minimis in order to benefit businesses, consumers, and suppliers across borders

Washington D.C. – The National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) today applauded a bipartisan group of state Governors who are calling on NAFTA negotiators to raise de minimis levels in NAFTA renegotiations.

Cutting customs red tape and raising the de minimis level in Mexico and Canada as part of the renegotiation of the NAFTA will help grow jobs, promote growth, and increase exports. NFTC has helped to spearhead efforts to modernize and expedite customs procedures with our NAFTA partners making special mention of the issue in comments submitted to the U.S. Trade Representative’s (USTR) office ahead of the start of renegotiations noting that an increased de minimis level would “unlock the exporting potential of small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in particular, who often find complex customs procedures and costs to be among the most serious obstacles to trade.”

The governors recently sent a letter to U.S. and Canadian negotiators ahead of intersessional meetings on NAFTA that will be held in Washington D.C. in mid-December. In their letter, the bipartisan Governors highlight how raising de minimis levels would cut red tape at borders that often slow deliveries and increases costs, hurting both businesses and consumers.

“In global trade, de minimis levels are important, because they permit small international transactions to take place without the lengthy delays, high costs, and red tape associated with larger scale commercial importing,” the Governors write. “When a de minimis level is too low, the combined effects of the tariffs and the administrative collection process inflate the total cost of otherwise inexpensive goods. Low de minimis levels are particularly burdensome for consumers, small businesses, and manufacturers who rely on sourcing small components from a variety of suppliers.”

Low and outdated de minimis and informal clearance levels are hindering the flow of low-value shipments coming from U.S. exporters to consumers in Mexico and Canada while, at the same time, Mexican and Canadian exporters benefit from state of the art customs procedures and a de minimis threshold of $800 in the United States. The NFTC urges USTR to make efficient customs procedures and higher de minimis levels in both Mexico and Canada a priority during the next round of NAFTA negotiations.

The full text of the Governors letter:

The Honorable Robert Lighthizer
Ambassador
United States Trade Representative
600 17th Street, NW Washington, DC 20006

The Honorable Chrystia Freeland, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Foreign Affairs House of Commons
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6

November 21, 2017

Dear Ambassador Lighthizer and Minister Freeland:

As Governors of U.S. States, we are keenly interested in protecting and enhancing the vibrant trading relationship between the United States and Canada.

During his recent address to the National Governors Association, Prime Minister Trudeau pointed out that 37 U.S. States count Canada as their top export destination. Similarly, Statistics Canada reports that U.S. states are the top export destination for all 10 of Canada’s provinces and represent more than 75% of Canadian exports.

It is in the spirit of this strong economic interdependence that we write urging you to use the upcoming renegotiation of the North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) as an opportunity to modernize and increase the long-standing C$20 (US$15) de minimis level for low value goods entering Canada.

In global trade, de minimis levels are important, because they permit small international transactions to take place without the lengthy delays, high costs, and red tape associated with larger scale commercial importing. When a de minimis level is too low, the combined effects of the tariffs and the administrative collection process inflate the total cost of otherwise inexpensive goods. Low de minimis levels are particularly burdensome for consumers, small businesses, and manufacturers who rely on sourcing small components from a variety of suppliers. As you know, the United States recently raised its de minimis threshold on imported goods to $800, while Canada’s C$20 (US$15) threshold remains among the lowest in the industrialized world. As the global economy continues to see increased online sales that result in direct shipments to purchasers, Canada’s low threshold for the collection of duty and tax creates unnecessary price increases for Canadian consumers and hinders North American manufacturers’ supply chains on both sides of our shared border. A modernization of the Canadian de minimis level would be beneficial to both countries. By reducing the cost of goods that Canadian manufacturers obtain from U.S. suppliers, they can obtain timely and cost effective delivery of necessary business inputs.

A modernization of the de minimis level would give Canadian consumers much needed relief from prices that have been inflated by 30 year old tariffs on goods that may not be available domestically. The policy change would also benefit U.S. suppliers and small businesses who are anxious to provide their Canadian customers with products that are affordable and readily available.

We are proud of the strong trading relationship between our states and Canada, and believe that the modernization of NAFTA will only further enhance this relationship. Raising the Canadian de minimis threshold will strengthen the North American supply chain. It will benefit businesses and consumers in both Canada and the United States so that commerce between our two countries can continue to prosper.

Sincerely,

Gary Herbert, Governor of Utah
Kate Brown, Governor of Oregon
Larry Hogan, Governor of Maryland
Charlie Baker, Governor of Massachusetts
Daniel Malloy, Governor of Connecticut
Paul LePage, Governor of Maine
Steve Bullock, Governor of Montana
Terry McAuliffe, Governor of Virginia

###

About the NFTC

Cutting Customs Red Tape Through NAFTA Will Help the United States Grow Jobs, Promote Growth, And Increase Exports

Posted on December 1, 2017 by dcadmin

De Minimis Letter from US Governors

Posted on November 21, 2017 by dcadmin

NFTC Statement on Cuba Travel Restrictions

Posted on November 8, 2017 by dcadmin

Washington D.C. – NFTC Vice President Jake Colvin today released a statement following the Administration’s enactment of new travel restrictions to Cuba.

“The actions announced today by the Administration are misguided,” said Colvin. “Allowing people-to-people travel only as part of organized trips will limit the contact that Americans can have with everyday Cubans on the island and take money out of the pockets of Cuban entrepreneurs and home-stay hosts.

“Restrictions on engaging while traveling with individual Cuban entities will be confusing for travelers and require significant U.S. Government resources to enforce.

“The new restrictions on American businesses in Cuba are also counterproductive. In particular, restricting American companies from participating in the special Mariel economic zone prevents Americans from engaging in a fledgling economic experiment by the Cuban government that could potentially benefit Cuban workers and the Cuban people.”

###

About the NFTC
Serving America’s Global Businesses Since 1914– The National Foreign Trade Council (www.nftc.org) is a leading business organization advocating an open, rules- based global trading system. Founded in 1914 by a broad-based group of American companies, the NFTC now serves hundreds of member companies through its offices in Washington and New York.
Follow us on:

NFTC Foundation Honors Congressman Ron Kind, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene and Congressman Erik Paulsen

Posted on October 25, 2017October 7, 2022 by dcadmin

Washington D.C. – Last night the National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) Foundation hosted its annual World Trade Dinner and Award Ceremony, honoring Congressman Ron Kind, Congressman Erik Paulsen, and Congresswoman Suzan DelBene.

NFTC Foundation President Rufus Yerxa, delivered welcome remarks. “I know the economic growth of the past 20 years has not been shared by many Americans, and there are a host of things we need to do in making trade fairer, improving our tax system and equipping our workforce for a world of rapid technological change,” said Yerxa. “But a hard reverse of 70 years of international economic policy would be a tragic error of judgment. It will only put us further behind our biggest competitors at a time when all of them are moving outward to embrace new trade deals. It will damage our $2 trillion export franchise, raise prices, cost more jobs than it protects and create a more unstable world with fewer supporters of that enduring American vision. It will lead to a loss of confidence in America as a reliable trading partner by our best allies. For if we don’t respect our past alliances, how can we expect others to do so. Worst of all, it puts China in the driver’s seat, and makes them the force to be reckoned with in global trade negotiations, rather than us”

“NFTC companies will support a more muscular trade policy, but one that has a strategic goal and a purpose,” continued Yerxa. “One that is focused outward and addresses the real problems –like getting China, Japan and others to open their markets, be more transparent and play by the rules – instead of beating up on good neighbors that we need as friends and allies in the real struggle for fairer trade.”

During a previously recorded video message, NFTC’s new Chairman, Secretary Carlos Gutierrez, remarked on the importance of NFTC’s mission as our companies “are now dealing with the uncertainty that comes with a possible revision of the international system.”

Congressman Ron Kind was recognized for his lifetime achievement in opening markets worldwide to U.S. trade and investment. During his remarks, Congressman Kind stressed the importance of continued U.S. leadership in the global trading system and warned of the possible effect that a renegotiated NAFTA could have on U.S. businesses and their ability to compete in the global economy.

“We are seriously derailed on where we need to be going as great nation in the 21st century global trading system” said Kind. “Given the 70 years of hard work of positioning the United States as a strong voice and defender of multilateral institutions, of a rule, legal-based trading system, us being at the table to offer our input, our guidance, our principles, our standards, our values; and for a variety of reasons, that space has been vacated with the leadership of our country.”

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene and Congressman Erik Paulsen were presented with the Trade Leadership in the Digital Age Award in recognition of their leadership in fostering policies that support companies conducting business across borders thanks to the internet. Earlier this year, Congresswoman DelBene and Congressman Paulsen formed the bipartisan Digital Trade Caucus, which currently has 43 members, to promote U.S. trade policy that works in the digital age. During his remarks, Congressman Paulsen said the Digital Trade Caucus has two goals: “To make sure Americans are not put at any competitive disadvantage when it comes to digital trade and that the U.S. does not engage in any protectionist activities which provoke a response abroad.”

While accepting the award, Congresswoman DelBene highlighted the importance of continuing to educate members of Congress about the importance of digital trade in the 21st century. “Digital trade promotes innovation and economic growth [and] Congress should support policies that ensure the free flow of data across borders, and promote a free and open internet throughout the world. Congress should also make it easier for businesses of all sizes to use the internet to trade by reducing barriers across the board.”

Now in its 103rd year, NFTC Foundation’s World Trade Dinner has become a valued tradition for guests, ranging from senior U.S. government officials and diplomats to executives of critical global industries. This year’s dinner was held in the Great Hall of News at the Newseum.

###