The Tire Industry Association said it applauds U.S. Representatives Dan Boren (D-2nd OK) and Kevin Brady (R-8th TX) for their letter to U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Ron Kirk, asking for confirmation that the Obama administration has established a system to monitor the effects of the special tariffs on imports of consumer tires from China.
"There are few issues that have generated as much member interest as this tariff," said TIA Executive Vice President Roy Littlefield. "And, our industry deserves a full and accurate accounting of the effects of the tariff on the entire supply chain, right down to our retailer members."
The tariff, enacted on Sept. 11, 2009, added a 35% duty on all passenger and light-truck tires that are manufactured in China. TIA said it has been concerned from the beginning that that this first-time application of a 421 Safeguard Provision may not properly address the needs for monitoring the effects of this tariff.
"This brings some sunshine to an as-yet unknown process," said TIA Director of Government and Business Relations Paul Fiore. "The United Steel Workers (USW) made some very far-reaching claims concerning this tariff, and the office of the USTR should be diligent in setting up a comprehensive, verifiable system for quantifying the effects of this tariff."
