NMMA Supports Industry Letter Urging Commerce to Revise Section 232 Implementation Process
On June 24, NMMA joined 29 leading industry associations in a letter to U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick advocating for revisions to the Department of Commerce’s implementation of Section 232 tariffs on steel, aluminum and related derivative products. The letter emphasizes the need for a more transparent and targeted approach to avoid unintended harm to U.S. manufacturing, including the $230 billion recreational boating industry.
The letter outlines several recommendations to ensure the process advances shared goals of strengthening national security and domestic production while maintaining U.S. industrial competitiveness.
Key requests in the letter include:
- Extending the public comment period on inclusion requests from 14 to at least 45 days
- Narrowing the scope of inclusion requests to avoid overly broad Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) classifications
- Publishing clear and objective criteria for evaluating inclusion petitions and dismissing those lacking merit
- Establishing a formal review process to remove products from the tariff list if circumstances change
- Holding a public hearing to allow for additional stakeholder input
The letter also calls for Commerce to align Section 232 actions with broader tariff and trade strategies, noting that “clear, predictable, and tailored policies are essential for supporting long-term investment and resilience.”
NMMA supports the administration’s goal of strengthening the domestic industrial base and continues to advocate for a targeted, strategic trade policy that protects U.S. manufacturers while preserving access to critical materials. For more information, contact Clay Crabtree, Senior Director of Public Policy, at [email protected].