IHA Opposes New Round of Tariffs

The latest round of tariffs on products coming from China announced by the United States Trade Representative (USTR) affects $200 billion of goods imported and if enacted would have an impact on the housewares industry. The International Housewares Association  is activating its resources at the Association and member levels to provide comment on the issue.

“IHA, through its Government Affairs Committee and DC office, has maintained a free and fair trade and anti-tariff position,” said Phil Brandl, IHA President and CEO. “Until the recently announced additional wave of tariffs, the housewares industry was relatively unscathed. However, with the potential impact of these proposed tariffs, now is the time for IHA to galvanize our membership and let the government know how housewares suppliers and, ultimately, consumers will be affected.”

IHA has joined a coalition of the National Retail Federation in opposing the tariffs and is also working to provide comment during the public hearings scheduled by the USTR in August. IHA Chairman Brett Bradshaw, co-president of Bradshaw Holdings, would represent the Association and address how the tariffs affect his company specifically and the industry as a whole.

“Over the past 40 to 50 years, the U.S. housewares industry has become a part of the global economy, with products manufactured across the world. Underlying this development was a general belief in free markets and free trade,” Bradshaw said. “Reasonable, fair and reciprocal trade policies between countries often included modest tariffs, which, if consistently applied, made it possible for companies to plan, make investments and grow.

“The current U.S. proposal to suddenly and dramatically increase tariffs is disruptive and creates an environment of uncertainty that will tend to stifle investments throughout the supply chain, hurting business not only in countries that manufacture goods but here at home as well. Cost increases ultimately will be passed on to American consumers, potentially reducing sales and profits for our members and our retail/wholesale customers.”

IHA encourages members affected by the tariffs to participate in the process and make their voices heard regarding the latest round of tariff considerations (Docket Number USTR-2018-0026) by taking one or more of the following steps:

• Familiarize yourself with the proposed tariff subheadings included in the action and the potential impacts to your organization. The complete schedule can be found on the USTR’s website here https://ustr.gov/sites/default/files/301/2018-0026%20China%20FRN%207-10-2018_0.pdf
• Contact your members of Congress with stories of how the tariffs will impact your business. To find your Congressional representative go to https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative or to find your Senator, go to https://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
• Provide feedback about potential impacts to your organization during the public comment period in connection with the proposed action.

1. 1. Electronic submissions preferred
   2. August 17, 2018 – Due date for written comments

https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=USTR-2018-0026

• File a request to appear and provide brief testimony at the scheduled public hearing.

1. July 27, 2018 – Due date for filing requests to appear and to provide summary of expected testimony
2. August 20-23, 2018 – Planned dates for public hearing in Washington DC

For questions on the ongoing investigation or proposed action, contact the office of the USTR: Arthur Tsao, Assistant General Counsel, or Justin Hoffmann, Director of Industrial Goods, at 202.395.5725.  For questions on customs classification of products identified in this action, contact traderemedy@cbp.dhs.gov.

For more information about the latest actions being taken by IHA or other tariff related inquiries, contact Mark Adkison, IHA’s Vice President, International, at 847.692.0126 or madkison@housewares.org.