[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 121 (Wednesday, July 18, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1033]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 THE DEVASTATING IMPACT OF THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO TARIFFS ON 
                                ALABAMA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. TERRI A. SEWELL

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 18, 2018

  Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address the U.S. 
Department of Commerce Section 232 investigation into automobile 
imports and the negative impact that it could have on Alabama's 
economy. In my district, I have both a Hyundai and Mercedes auto 
manufacturing facility. Not only do they produce cars for the U.S. and 
foreign markets, but they provide thousands of high paying jobs for my 
constituents. Last year alone international automakers invested $10.2 
billion in the state of Alabama, employing more than 80,000 citizens, 
and providing good wages and benefits to their employees.
  On May 23rd, Secretary Wilbur Ross announced that the Commerce 
Department would begin an investigation into whether imports of 
automobiles and auto parts threaten national security. However, before 
the Department of Commerce could begin their investigation, President 
Trump delegitimized the entire process by prematurely stating that he 
wanted a 25 percent tariff on automotive imports. We now know that this 
investigation is just a justification for this administration's desire 
to implement 19th century style tariffs on America's allies around the 
globe.
  The Peterson Institute for International Economics predicts that if 
the new auto tariffs are implemented, the United States will lose 
624,000 jobs and production would fall by 4 percent. As Members of 
Congress, we cannot stand by and allow this administration's 
destructive trade policies to hurt American workers. As a result, I led 
a bipartisan letter, cosigned by 149 Members of Congress, to Secretary 
of Commerce Wilbur Ross expressing concern with the Section 232 
investigation into auto imports. The letter highlights the auto 
industry's importance to working families and the nation's economy, as 
well as the vast network of international suppliers that the industry 
relies on to stay competitive.
  I strongly urge the Trump Administration to think carefully about the 
impact of the autos 232 investigation, and the devastating effect 
tariffs could have on American workers. Rather than endangering 
American jobs through a trade war with our allies, we need to 
strengthen our trading relationships to better position U.S. workers in 
the global marketplace.

                          ____________________