New 232 tariffs could stall manufacturing investment in US

National Association of Manufacturers President and CEO Jay Timmons released the following statement in response to the Commerce Department’s investigation into potential tariffs on robotics and industrial machinery: 

“Manufacturers are working to increase capacity in the United States – and domestic production of robotics and industrial machinery can enhance both our industrial might and our national security. However, tariffs on critical manufacturing inputs would significantly increase costs on equipment and machinery on factory floors across the country, which could in turn stall investment in new plants and equipment right here at home at a time when manufacturers want to help President Trump create more U.S. manufacturing output and jobs. 

“The challenge facing the United States today is that our domestic industry can produce at most 84% of the inputs manufacturers need to build, modernize, and operate our facilities and to increase production and output. That is true even if every manufacturer in the country is working at full capacity. That means that, at an absolute minimum, 16% of critical manufacturing inputs must be imported to manufacture more here in the U.S. That’s why manufacturers have offered practical pro-growth solutions to bring in these essential inputs without adding cost burdens, while rewarding manufacturers that invest, expand and create new jobs at home.”