Industry unites to prevent 100% tariffs
IRVINE, Calif. – A joint push by the Motorcycle Industry Council, its member companies, and its employees and dealerships has resulted in motorcycles, parts and accessories being removed from the European Union’s most recent bargaining round.
About 100 comments to the U.S. Trade Representative regarding motorcycles pushed for tariffs of up to 100 percent on all 500-700cc motorcycles and scooters, and all EU and UK parts and accessories.
“We are incredibly pleased that European motorcycles, parts and accessories have been removed from the latest EU tariffs in relation to the Airbus situation,” said John Hinz, CEO of KTM North America Inc. and board member of MIC. “We are extremely grateful that the US Trade Representative heard our concerns and recognized the unintended and potentially devastating effects 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, MD, Congressman Tim Walberg, Congressman Ken Calvert, Congressman Jim Jordan, our dealers and employees, and the support of all of ours Industrial partner. Thank you to everyone who wrote letters, made phone calls, and shared the value of our industry and business here in the United States with Washington, DC. “
It was also an international effort, with written comments from 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 won through with united support,” said Erik Pritchard, President and CEO of MIC. “The Government Relations Office of the MIC will continue to monitor the situation and hope that the USTR will not propose these tariffs a fourth time.”
The Motorcycle Industry Council exists to maintain, protect and promote motorcycling through government relations, communications, media relations, statistics and research, aftermarket programs, data communication standards, and involvement in technical and regulatory issues. As a non-profit national industry association, the MIC aims 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 related industries such as insurance -, finance and investment companies, media companies and consultants.
The MIC is headquartered in Irvine, California and has a Government Relations Office in the greater Washington, DC area. The MIC was first named in 1970 and has been in operation since 1914. Stay up to date with the industry association on Twitter @followMIC and MIC. org.