Industry applauds tariff bill passage

Industry applauds tariff bill passage    Industry groups praised the U.S. Senate for its passage Wednesday of the U.S. Manufacturing Enhancement Act of 2010, also known as the Miscellaneous Tariff Bill (H.R. 4380), clearing the way for President Obama to sign it into law.
   'We are extremely pleased that the bill passed through both houses of Congress to help provide relief to U.S. companies that import foreign products not otherwise available,' said Marianne Rowden, president and chief executive officer of the American Association of Exporters and Importers. 'Many of our members had duty suspensions pending in this bill. It will cut the cost of doing business in the United States and help drive more U.S. exports.'

Rowden

   On July 21, the House passed the initial legislation by an overwhelming majority.
   Among other things, the newly passed Miscellaneous Tariff Bill will temporarily reduce or suspend tariffs on 639 items, mostly components that American manufacturers use in their production processes.
   'Manufacturers of all sizes use these vital tariff suspensions to obtain raw materials, proprietary inputs and other products that are not available in our nation,' said John Engler, president and CEO of the National Association of Manufacturers. 'Without them, the costs of these companies' products will inevitably increase, forcing them to pass on these costs to consumers. This hinders competitiveness and translates into lost jobs for American workers.'

Engler

   Engler noted that studies show that these provisions would increase U.S. production by $4.6 billion and support almost 90,000 jobs.
   The Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) said the Senate's passage of the bill by consent means that the more than $21 million in cost savings on specialty outdoor footwear and other outdoor products enacted by the 2006 Miscellaneous Tariff Bill, would be extended for at least another year and a half.
   OIA President and CEO Frank Hugelmeyer said, 'after President Obama's signature, outdoor companies will again see cost savings that will allow them to invest in the product innovations that drive our industry, support the millions of jobs they create and support across the country and lower retail prices on specialty outdoor products for the American people.'
   The Miscellaneous Tariff Bill contains several outdoor products, including extensions of several duty suspensions on waterproof breathable footwear that OIA guided to congressional passage in 2006, and also includes ski and snowboard equipment and footwear, and bicycle parts and accessories.
   Because many of the bills included in the U.S. Manufacturing Enhancement Act are extensions of previously enacted, but since expired tariff suspensions, the Miscellaneous Tariff Bill has a provision making it retroactive to Jan. 1, 2010. Outdoor companies will have 180 days from enactment to file reimbursement for duties paid from the first of the year to the date of enactment, OIA said.