Industry Unites to Prevent 100% Tariffs
IRVINE, Calif. — A unified push by the Motorcycle Industry Council, its member companies, and their staffs and dealers has resulted in motorcycles, parts, and accessories being left off the most recent round of European Union tariffs.
Some 100 comments to the United States Trade Representative, referencing motorcycles, urged against tariffs of up to 100 percent on all 500-700cc 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 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.”
The Motorcycle Industry Council exists to preserve, protect, and promote motorcycling through government relations, communications, media relations, statistics and research, aftermarket programs, data communications standards, and involvement in technical and regulatory issues. As a not-for-profit national industry association, the MIC seeks to support motorcyclists by representing manufacturers, distributors, dealers, and retailers of motorcycles, scooters, ATVs, ROVs, motorcycle/ATV/ROV parts, accessories, and related services, and members of allied trades such as insurance, finance and investment companies, media companies, and consultants.
The MIC is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., with a government relations office in metropolitan Washington, D.C. First called the MIC in 1970, the organization has been in operation since 1914. Keep up with the industry association on Twitter @followMIC and at MIC.org.
