U.S. Imposing Tariffs on Heavy Machinery from the EU

An additional 25% import duty will be placed on heavy-duty equipment and other goods from the EU.

October 7, 2019

Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM)

Backhoes, like the one pictured, from countries in the EU will have additional tariffs placed on them by the U.S.

JCB

Tariffs on $7.5 billion worth of European Union (EU) goods entering the U.S. are set to go into effect starting October 18.

The United States Trade Representative (USTR) recently released its Final Product List of items which will be subject to tariffs. Agricultural products, aircraft components and clothing are among the vast majority of the goods on which tariffs will be placed.

Additional import duties will also be applied to heavy-duty machinery and tools from some countries, as well. The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) says member companies doing business with the EU should carefully review the entire list from USTR.

Sections of the USTR list AEM feels is most relevant to its membership includes:

Part 11 – Products of Germany described below are subject to additional import duties of 25 percent ad valorem -

8201.40.60 Axes, bill hooks and similar hewing tools (o/than machetes), and base metal parts thereof
8203.20.20 Base metal tweezers
8203.20.60 Pliers (including cutting pliers but not slip joint pliers), pincers and similar tools
8203.30.00 Metal cutting shears and similar tools, and base metal parts thereof
8203.40.60 Pipe cutters, bolt cutters, perforating punches and similar tools, nesoi, and base metal parts thereof
8205.40.00 Screwdrivers and base metal parts thereof
8211.93.00 Knives having other than fixed blades
8211.94.50 Base metal blades for knives having other than fixed blades
8467.19.10 Tools for working in the hand, pneumatic, other than rotary type, suitable for metal working
8467.19.50 Tools for working in the hand, pneumatic, other than rotary type, other than suitable for metal working
8468.80.10 Machinery and apparatus, hand-directed or -controlled, used for soldering, brazing or welding, not gas-operated
8468.90.10 Parts of hand-directed or -controlled machinery, apparatus and appliances used for soldering, brazing, welding or tempering
8505.11.00 Permanent magnets and articles intended to become permanent magnets after magnetization, of metal 8514.20.40 Industrial or laboratory microwave ovens for making hot drinks or for cooking or heating food
9002.11.90 Objective lenses and parts & access. thereof, for cameras, projectors, or photographic enlargers or reducers, except projection, nesoi

Part 13 – Products of Germany or the United Kingdom described below are subject to additional import duties of 25% ad valorem -

8429.52.10 Self-propelled backhoes, shovels, clamshells and draglines with a 360 degree revolving superstructure
8429.52.50 Self-propelled machinery with a 360 degree revolving superstructure, other than backhoes, shovels, clamshells and draglines
8467.29.00 Electromechanical tools for working in the hand, other than drills or saws, with self-contained electric motor

AEM continues to engage with Congress and the Trump administration to let them know the tariff escalations harm U.S. consumers and businesses.