USTR targets motorcycling again
The Office of United States Trade Representative has again proposed tariffs on motorcycles with an engine size between 500cc and 700cc, along with parts and accessories, imported from countries in the European Union, as part of a dispute over aircraft subsidies. This proposal comes after the USTR announced in October that these motorcycles would NOT be subject to tariffs originally proposed in April. This continued targeting of the motorcycle community and industry only brings uncertainty and harm to American motorcyclists and the small businesses that support them.
The American Motorcyclist Association is joining others in the motorcycling community to oppose the USTR’s ill-conceived proposal. Motorcyclists should not be penalized with exorbitant tariffs because of an unrelated trade dispute. Any trade sanctions imposed as a result of this dispute should come from more closely related industries or products.
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Motorcyclists who depend on parts from Europe to keep their motorcycles in safe, working order will face increased cost and decreased availability under this proposal. This will result in motorcyclists putting off critical maintenance and will keep their vehicles off the road, negatively affecting the countless small businesses that depend on motorcycle-based tourism. Additionally, this proposed tariff will cause serious, and potentially irreversible, harm to American small- and medium-sized business owners selling the motorcycle, parts, and accessories.
Should the availability of products be hindered through unjustified trade sanctions on European-produced motorcycles, dealerships may close, leaving countless Americans without jobs. The negative effects of the proposed trade sanctions will not only harm the motorcycle sales industry but will spread through the aftermarket equipment sector, recreation equipment sales, the sports entertainment industry, and further down the line.
