The Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC, Irvine, California) has collaborated with its member companies, their staff and dealers, and Brussels based ACEM, to successfully coordinate lobby action against motorcycles, parts and accessories being included in the most recent round of tariffs being imposed on EU made products by the United States Trade Representative (USTR).
Some 100 comments referencing motorcycles were received by the USTR during its consultation period, urging against tariffs of up to 100 percent on all 500-700 cc motorcycles and scooters, as well as all parts and accessories from the EU and the United Kingdom.
"We're incredibly pleased that European motorcycles, parts and accessories have been removed from the most recent round of EU tariffs in relation to the Airbus situation," said John Hinz, CEO of KTM North America Inc., and MIC board member. "We are extremely thankful that the U.S. Trade Representative heard our concerns and recognized the unintended and potentially devastating impacts that tariffs could have on our industry.
"This would not have been possible without the support of the MIC and its members, the efforts of Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D., Congressman Tim Walberg, Congressman Ken Calvert, Congressman Jim Jordan, our dealers and our employees, and the support of all our industry partners. Thank you to all who wrote letters, made phone calls, and let Washington, D.C., know the value of our industry and our businesses here in the United States."
It was an international effort as well, with written comments supplied by Antonio Perlot, Secretary General of ACEM, the motorcycle industry trade association in Europe.
"This was the third time the USTR made this proposal, and the third time the industry was able to prevail with combined support," said Erik Pritchard, MIC President and CEO. "The MIC's Government Relations Office will continue to monitor the situation, hoping that the USTR does not propose these tariffs a fourth time."
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