Proposed tariffs of up to 100 percent on motorcycles, parts, and accessories, coming in from European Union countries, have been staved off – following efforts by the MIC’s Government Relations Office and some key member manufacturers.
Representatives from member companies KTM and Indian Motorcycle, and MIC staff, made the case against the proposed tariffs, testifying this summer at hearings in Washington, D.C., and holding meetings with key staff at the Office of the United States Trade Representative. And the MIC, along with motorcycle-manufacturing member companies Cobra, Ducati, Indian Motorcycle, and KTM, submitted written comments to the USTR opposing these tariffs.
In a show of transcontinental industry support, ACEM, the European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers, also submitted written arguments against the proposed tariffs. They would have greatly affected the powersports business, and came about as part of a dispute regarding certain EU countries subsidizing their large-aircraft manufacturing sector.
“We have been actively engaged in this dispute from day one, both in Washington, D.C., and also in Europe, to protect our dealers, support the motorcycle industry and allow our customers to continue to ride and experience motorcycling,” said John Hinz, CEO of KTM North America. “Our brands and dealers have been operating in the United States for over fifty years and it is our responsibility to protect and grow the future of motorcycling. We commend the USTR’s recognition of the negative impact that the proposed tariffs would have had on our U.S. business, partners, dealers, and customers.”
“Had the tariffs been enacted, that would have meant extremely high prices for our American consumers of European motorcycles, parts, and accessories,” said Erik Pritchard, incoming MIC president and CEO. “Increased costs would have even discouraged motorcycle riders from performing routine but critical maintenance, such as brake pad and tire replacements, due to potential doubling on the price of parts.”
“I want to thank Congressman Tim Walberg and Congressman Michael Burgess who are the co-chairs of the Congressional Motorcycle Caucus,” said Scott Schloegel, senior vice president for government relations at the MIC. “They sent a terrific letter to the United States Trade Representative opposing additional tariffs, which are taxes paid by American consumers. They have been fantastic champions of the industry and our consumers, and we thank them for their continued support for something that brings joy to millions of Americans every single day: motorcycling.”
MIC staff at the Government Relations Office will continue to monitor developments in Washington, in case the USTR proposes any changes to the current list of products and industries impacted by tariffs.
