Senate Finance Committee to Convene Hearing on the Impact of Tariffs on the U.S. Auto Industry

Source: U.S. Senate Committee on Finance

Hearing Will Explore Effects of Tariffs on Customers, Local Communities and Industry as a Whole

WASHINGTON – Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) announced that the Finance Committee will convene a hearing on the impact of tariffs on the U.S. automotive industry. The hearing will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 26 at 10:30 a.m. in 215 Dirksen Senate Office Building.

“As the administration continues to rely on tariffs to resolve trade issues, I am convening a hearing to consider the impact on the U.S. auto industry,” Hatch said. “For a typical American family, a car is the second biggest purchase they make. I look forward to hearing from our witnesses to learn more about the potential harm tariffs could have on the industry and how they may be passed along to consumers. This hearing will give Finance Committee members an opportunity to engage with experts on what new tariffs on automobiles and automotive parts could mean for families, job creators and U.S. economic growth.”

The witnesses at the hearing will be:

H. David Britt, Chairman of Economic Development, Spartanburg County Council Member
Steve Gates, Dealer Principal, Gates Auto Family
Michael Haughey, President & CEO, North American Stamping Group
Josh Nassar, Legislative Director, United Auto Workers
Rick Schostek, Executive Vice President, Honda North America, Inc.

The hearing will be streamed live at the following link:
https://www.finance.senate.gov/hearings/impact-of-tariffs-on-the-us-automotive-industry

Background: In May, Hatch called the Department of Commerce Section 232 investigation into imports of automobiles, trucks and automotive parts deeply misguided and expressed frustration with the administration’s decision to impose steel and aluminum tariffs from the European Union, Canada and Mexico. In June, Hatch convened a Finance Committee hearing with Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross about the administration’s use of Section 232 investigations. Hatch also expressed concerns with the use of tariffs under Section 301 in July.