Temporary Suspension of Airbus/Boeing Trade Dispute Tariffs Highlighted As Worker Centric
NABI Press Release (2021-7) – April 28, 2021
NABI Applauds USTR Ambassador Katherine Tai on her Appropriations Testimony – Temporary Suspension of Airbus/Boeing Trade Dispute Tariffs Highlighted As Worker Centric
The National Association of Beverage Importers (NABI), Washington, DC, the only nation-wide association representing importers of wine, distilled spirits, and beer, applauds Ambassador Tai on her successful testimony before the Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies of the Senate Appropriations Committee on April 27, 2021. USTR has an annual budget of approximately $70 million.
NABI found in Ambassador Tai’s opening statement in her testimony yesterday before the Subcommittee the most significant information from USTR recently on the Airbus/Boeing tariffs.
NABI President Robert M. Tobiassen said “NABI is very pleased, excited, and grateful for Ambassador Tai listing first the four-month suspensions of the Airbus/Boeing tariffs with the EU and UK in highlighting her early successes.” In the Ambassador’s Opening Statement, she states:
In just a few short months, USTR has already delivered results for American workers. In March, USTR announced a four-month suspension of tariffs with both the United Kingdom and the European Union related to the long-running World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute over certain large civil aircraft subsidies. This was a bold step towards finally resolving the issues that have impacted the U.S. industry and its workers.
“While NABI would have appreciated hearing a few more specifics on the next ‘bold step(s)’ forward, nevertheless the Ambassador’s mention here the large civil aircraft dispute is a very promising sign for successful settlement negotiations,” said Tobiassen and added “It is likely in the meetings leading up to and including the G7 ministerial on June 11-12, 2021, hosted by the UK Government, will be the venues for the political discussions and concrete decisions on the margins of these meeting, at a minimum.” The G7 Members are Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, United Kingdom, and United States of America. The European Commission attends and participates in the G7 meetings. The key countries and regional economic entity in the large civil aircraft disputes are there.
“Certainty is essential for importers to plan ahead, especially in light of the transportation and container shipping delays in both the country of export and the port of entry in the United States” pointed out Tobiassen. “The immediate announcement of an additional suspension period or a permanent suspension is the exact certainty desperately needed by importers of wine and spirits; such an announcement in mid-June,, after the G7 ministerial, before the expiration of the temporary suspension with the UK on July 4, and with the EU on July 11, simply fails to provide certainty now by the importer business community and its workers” added Tobiassen. Ambassador Tai linked the temporary suspension of the large civil aircraft tariffs to advancing the worker centric guidepost or pillar for the trade policy of the Biden/Harris Administration. “The extension of the temporary suspension for two or even six more months only strengthens the protection of American workers in the import industry and the workers in the collateral or dependent industries in the distribution chain” concluded Tobiassen.
For more information, please contact NABI at nabipresident@beveimporters.org or visit the NABI website at www.bevimporters.org .
This link connects you to Ambassador Tai’s Opening Statement.
This link connects you to the full public hearing video recording of Ambassador Tai’s testimony.