Gemini Shippers Group joined a number of associations in a letter to the USTR’s office regarding possible section 301 tariffs on Veitnam
The Honorable Robert E. Lighthizer
United States Trade Representative
600 17th Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20508
Docket Number: USTR-2020-0037
Dear Ambassador Lighthizer:
On behalf of the undersigned organizations and companies below and the millions of American workers we employ, we are writing regarding the initiation of two Section 301 investigations on Vietnam’s acts, policies, and practices related to illegal timber and currency valuation. We agree that our trading partners must abide by global trade rules, and we support the administration’s efforts to address unfair trading practices. However, the administration has tools other than tariffs to address these concerns. The possible imposition of new punitive duties on U.S. imports from Vietnam will only cause further supply chain disruption during the COVID-19 pandemic. We believe the administration’s goal can be achieved without taxing American consumers and American workers.
Vietnam is the second largest supplier of apparel, footwear, and travel goods to the U.S. market and has experienced dramatic growth since 2016. Vietnam has become even more important as U.S. companies have implemented diversification strategies away from China. Imposing new punitive tariffs on U.S. imports from Vietnam would cause extreme disruption, directly threatening those investments and increasing prices for hard-working American families at the register or costs on the supply chains that directly support millions of American jobs.
We remain concerned about the escalation of tariff wars. We know firsthand from the experience with China over the last several years that additional tariffs will have a significant, negative, and long-term impact on American businesses, farmers, families, and the U.S. economy. Broadly applied tariffs are not an effective tool to change a trading partner’s unfair trade practices. Tariffs are taxes paid directly by American companies, including those listed below, their American workers, and American consumers.
We do not believe this is the time to impose new costs on U.S. supply chains, particularly on American job creators who are still recovering from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Further, new punitive tariffs could make it even harder to source the personal protective equipment (PPE) that our communities need to safely regrow the economy.
Therefore, we oppose the imposition of punitive tariffs on U.S. imports from Vietnam. It is time for the administration to take a different approach to trade policy, one that does not punish American consumers, American workers, and the American communities they support.
Thank you for your time and consideration in this matter.
Sincerely,
Gemini Shippers Group
