AED’s McGuire Issues Statement In Opposition to “Reciprocal” Tariff Plan

On April 3, U.S. President Donald Trump announced his “reciprocal” tariff plan, effectively setting a 10 percent minimum/baseline tariff rate for imports from all countries utilizing claimed authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977. There are currently no sector or product specific exclusion procedures in place, although the administration has signalled a willingness to commence negotiations with countries. As of now, no specific retaliatory tariffs have been announced although several large trading partners have indicated without modifications, such actions will be forthcoming.

Following President Trump’s Rose Garden announcement, the Associated Equipment Distributor’s president & CEO Brian McGuire issued the following statement: 

“Let’s be clear: AED supports free and fair trade and the reduction of trade barriers for United States exports. It’s unclear whether the president’s plan will accomplish those goals. Nonetheless, AED continues to advocate for dialog between trading partners and calls on the administration and global leaders to quickly work toward a resolution that restores certainty and predictability to the world economy. The equipment industry and our customers can ill afford a prolonged trade war that unnecessarily increases the costs of equipment and parts that are critical to building, feeding, and fuelling the world.” 

Established in 1919, Associated Equipment Distributors (AED) is a not-for-profit international trade association based in Schaumburg, Ill., representing companies involved in the sale, rental, manufacturing, and support of equipment used in construction, agriculture, mining, forestry, power generation, and industrial applications.