RSI seeks input on Chinese import tariffs

Written by William C. Vantuono, Editor-in-Chief
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Chinese President Xi Jinping (left) with Donald Trump.

The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has published a notice in the Federal Register listing the Trump Administration’s proposed tariffs on Chinese imports because of its investigation into what it calls “China’s unfair trade practices under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974.”

The notice includes roughly 1,300 product codes that will be subject to a 25% tariff covering a range of technology and Made in China 2025 sectors, including finished rail parts from China. The Harmonized Tariff Schedule codes on Page 49 covers the following rail segments:

  • Freight.
  • Locomotives.
  • Passenger.
  • Transit.
  • Maintenance-of-Way.

The full notice is available here.

There is also a publicly available database to further explore the product codes.

The notice will be subject to a 30-day comment period from the public (written comments due May 11, 2018). USTR is then scheduled to hold a public hearing on May 15 and is expected to publish a final list of tariffs in June.

As part of its efforts to provide a voice for rail suppliers in Washington, D.C., RSI is requesting input from member companies on how the Administration’s proposed Chinese tariffs will impact their business.

“To help RSI prepare our response to the tariff proposal, we need input,” said RSI President Mike O’Malley. A brief survey—which needs to be taken by Friday, April 20—can be accessed HERE.

Markey Joins RSI Staff

In other RSI news, Maureen Markey has been named Director of Membership and Communications. Markey will oversee member retention, recruitment and relations, and lead overall communications for the association.

Before joining RSI, Markey was a consultant to several Washington, D.C.-based healthcare and technology associations, providing branding, messaging and marketing services to increase membership, meeting attendance and exhibitors. Her clients included the National Industries for the Blind and the Association for Information Science and Technology. Previously, she was the Director of Business Development for the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners and Assistant Director, Marketing for the American Nurses Association. Markey continues her involvement in the health care industry as board president of the American Association for Safe Patient Handling and Movement. She holds a BS in Journalism and French from Boston University, and an MBA in Marketing from the George Washington University.

“Maureen’s expertise in marketing, business development and nonprofit communications will help RSI increase attendance for our industry trade shows, strengthen and expand our membership base, raise our visibility on advocacy issues, and maintain strong relationships with key allies in the public policy arena,” Mike O’Malley said.

“RSI has a solid track record of creating value for its members and effectively advocating on issues important to the railway supply industry,” said Markey. “I look forward to working with RSI members and staff to heighten awareness of the rail supply industry’s critical importance to a vibrant U.S. and international economy.”

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