Over 130 Firms and Assns Urge Immediate Passage of MTB
On May 5, 2010, over 130 companies and trade associations (Toy Industry Association, American Iron and Steel Institute, Target, 3M, American Automotive Policy Council, etc.) signed a letter to the House Speaker and Minority Leader and the House Ways and Means Committee Chairman and Ranking Member urging immediate passage of the Miscellaneous Tariff Bill (MTB, also referred to as the Miscellaneous Trade bill).
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(Congressional sources have recently stated that the earmark and limited tariff benefit issue is having a negative impact on prospects for quick enactment of a MTB and that the House Ways and Means and Senate Finance Committees are continuing efforts to resolve the issues.)
U.S. Manufacturers Face Higher Tariffs on Inputs Not Available in the U.S.
According to the letter, the December 31, 2009 expiration of hundreds of duty suspensions and reductions due to the failure to enact a MTB, has resulted in manufacturers and businesses of all sizes facing higher tariffs on inputs and other products not otherwise available in the U.S.
(Congress adjourned at the end of 2009 without passing an Omnibus MTB. As a result, hundreds of HTS 9902 tariff numbers, which provided temporary duty suspensions or reductions to certain products, expired on December 31, 2009.)
The companies and trade associations note that the MTB has been estimated to support more than 90,000 U.S. jobs and $3.5 billion in GDP growth. According to the letter, enactment of the MTB, including new duty suspensions that have been fully vetted, is vital to the U.S. economy.
NAM Says MTBs are Not Earmarks
The National Association of Manufacturers sent a letter to Representatives on May 5, 2010, calling their attention to the letter sent to House leaders by the companies and trade associations.
In the letter, NAM argues that its members do not believe that the tariff suspensions in the MTB are earmarks. NAM further states that it believes that the correct interpretation of earmarks is that House rules do not define the limited tariff benefits in the MTB as Congressional earmarks. NAM urges the Representatives to support the MTB and vote yes when it comes to the House floor.
[See ITT’s Online Archives or 04/14/10 news, (Ref: 10041410), for most recent BP summary on the prospects for a MTB.
See ITT’s Online Archives or 03/31/10 news, (Ref: 10033110), for previous BP summary on the impact of the earmark issue on the MTB.
See ITT’s Online Archives or 01/15/10 news, (Ref: 10011505), for BP summary of Congress’ plans for a smaller MTB in early 2010.
See ITT's Online Archives or 12/31/09 news, (Ref: 09123105), for BP summary on the expiration of hundreds of HTS 9902 numbers]
Company/trade association letter to Congress, including signatories (dated 05/05/10) available at http://www.nam.org//media/49F9BA98CE82473689B86A1F90D2BFCB/Business_Community_LetterMTB.pdf.
NAM letter to Representatives (dated 05/05/10) available at http://www.nam.org//media/B804645C784C41B4B6F12D52254A7DC1/GovEngler_MTB_CoverLetter.pdf