Thwarted by the U.S. International Trade Commission in its push to boost tariffs on 14 countries — even after the Commerce Department found they illegally “dumped” cheap aluminum parts — some U.S. manufacturers, including owners of the Western Extrusions works in Pennsauken, New Jersey, are counting on the Trump administration to boost import taxes as promised.
Their Aluminum Extruders Coalition is among many U.S. factory owner groups awaiting action on Trump’s promises to aggressively expand these import taxes to protect American industry.
Trump in his campaign proposed a new tax of at least 10% on all imports; a new 60% tax on all goods from China (along with existing China product tariffs, some of which are much higher); and more severe tariffs on targeted industries worldwide.
A week ago, he pledged extra across-the-board 25% tariffs on Mexican and Canadian imports tied to immigration and drug enforcement, plus 10% on China. Tariffs are designed to help U.S. producers by making cheap competing products more expensive; they are controversial because they also can boost prices and feed inflation.
Bennett McEvoy, owner of Texas-based Western Extrusions, said he and his competitors — who are also his allies in the trade fight — “were incredibly disappointed and surprised” by the trade commission’s 2-1 vote last month to decline steep tariff increases on aluminum parts from countries including China and nations in eastern and western Asia, southern Europe, and Latin America.