The motorcycle industry dodged a bullet as proposed tariffs of up to 100% on motorcycles, parts and accessories coming in from European Union countries have been staved off after the Motorcycle Industry Council and member OEMs testified before the Office of the United States Trade Representative.
KTM, Indian Motorcycle and MIC staff testified at USTR hearings in Washington, D.C., making a case against the proposed tariffs. Member companies Cobra, Ducati, Indian and KTM also submitted written comments to the USTR opposing these tariffs.
“We have been actively engaged in this dispute from day one, both in Washington, D.C., and also in Europe, to protect our dealers, support the motorcycle industry and allow our customers to continue to ride and experience motorcycling,” said John Hinz, CEO of KTM North America. “Our brands and dealers have been operating in the United States for over fifty years and it is our responsibility to protect and grow the future of motorcycling. We commend the USTR’s recognition of the negative impact that the proposed tariffs would have had on our U.S. business, partners, dealers and customers.”
“Had the tariffs been enacted, that would have meant extremely high prices for our American consumers of European motorcycles, parts, and accessories,” said Erik Pritchard, incoming MIC president and CEO. “Increased costs would have even discouraged motorcycle riders from performing routine but critical maintenance, such as brake pad and tire replacements, due to potential doubling on the price of parts.”
“I want to thank Congressman Tim Walberg and Congressman Michael Burgess who are the co-chairs of the Congressional Motorcycle Caucus,” said Scott Schloegel, senior VP for government relations at the MIC. “They sent a terrific letter to the United States Trade Representative opposing additional tariffs, which are taxes paid by American consumers.”