AEM: Trump Tariffs Would Harm U.S. Equipment Makers

The Association of Equipment Manufacturers said President Trump's plan to impose tariffs on steel and aluminum imports would harm U.S. equipment makers.  The president plans a 25% import tariff on steel and a 10% import tariff on aluminum.

AEM President Dennis Slater said the move would raise costs for U.S. equipment manufacturers and undermine global competitiveness.  Roughly 30% of U.S.-made equipment is intended for export, according to AEM.

"Tariffs or quotas on steel and aluminum imports will burden U.S. manufacturers with higher costs while our competitors in China, India and Mexico will get a free pass to use the cheapest input materials they can find," said Slater.

AEM said it is "discouraging" the Trump administration from imposing the tariffs, adding that equipment manufacturing jobs are among the 6.5 million jobs supported by downstream industries that make use of steel as an input.

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