Washington, D.C. (Oct. 17, 2019)—The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) and the Committee for European Construction Equipment (CECE) released a joint statement today calling on American and European government leaders to negotiate towards a friendlier trade environment. After the recent World Trade Organization ruling on Airbus, the United States announced tariffs on $7.5 million of European goods, including certain types of construction equipment, and the European Union may do the same.  

“Equipment manufacturers in the United States are proud to stand with our European partners in calling on U.S. and EU policymakers to reaffirm their commitment to a strong transatlantic relationship,” said Kip Eideberg, AEM Senior vice president of government and industry affairs while attending the CECE 2019 Summit in Brussels, Belgium. “Our partnership has brought considerable benefits to workers, consumers and businesses of all sizes on both sides of the Atlantic.”

“Supply chains drive 80% of global trade, and tariffs on European manufacturing products will hurt American businesses that source parts and components from across the EU,” Eideberg said. “A mutually beneficial trade partnership is vital to the American and European economies. We urge Washington and Brussels to recognize the importance of our transatlantic alliance and the negative impact tariffs will have on equipment manufacturers.”   

For more information, visit aem.org