[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 140 (Thursday, October 9, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S10797]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. ALLARD (for himself and Mr. Campbell):
  S. 1289. A bill to temporarily decrease the duty on certain 
industrial nylon fabrics; to the Committee on Finance.


                      tariff reduction legislation

  Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, today I am introducing this legislation to 
lessen a financial burden on American companies. I am pleased that my 
colleague from Colorado, Senator Campbell is joining me as an original 
cosponsor. For approximately 20 years, various U.S. manufacturers have 
been paying substantial tariffs on a product that is not produced in 
this country.
  Mr. President, my legislation would significantly reduce the tariff 
on this particular product from 16 to 6.7 percent. This product is an 
industrial nylon fabric used in the manufacture of automotive timing 
belts. United States companies that use this product in their 
manufacturing processes have no choice but to import it since it has 
not been produced domestically since the mid-1970's.
  There is no domestic industry to harm by lowering this tariff, 
consumers will clearly benefit, and many domestic industries will 
benefit by becoming more competitive.
  My bill would temporarily reduce the tariff on the nylon fabric 
product for 3 years. After that period, if there are still no U.S. 
producers, further action would then be in order. Mr. President, 
reducing American competitiveness to protect non-existent domestic 
industries simply does not make sense. It is my hope that this 
situation will be rectified.
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