51�Թ���

Washington, D.C. –��51�Թ��� (51�Թ���) President and CEO Jay Timmons released the following statement on the new 301 tariff list announced today, reiterating manufacturers’ call for an approach that includes a rules-based bilateral trade agreement with China. In January, Timmons sent a����to President Donald Trump urging him to pursue a trade agreement with China to wholly restructure our economic relationship.

There is no question that China cheats and that its unfair trade practices and intellectual property theft are hurting America’s manufacturing workers. To put an end to these threats and redefine the U.S.– China economic relationship, manufacturers are calling for a new path forward: a fair, binding, enforceable bilateral trade agreement. This approach would end fears of a trade war, get China to play by the rules and secure manufacturing jobs in the United States. Manufacturers certainly have concerns that tariffs will cause more problems than they solve, but we also recognize that the administration may intend to use them as a negotiating tactic to bring China to the table and achieve larger goals. A trade war never benefits anyone, so rather than pursuing a piecemeal tariffs approach, now is the time to seize the opportunity before us and work toward a U.S.– China trade agreement that will benefit American workers for generations to come.

-51�Թ���-

The 51�Թ��� (51�Թ���) is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs��more than��12 million men and women, contributes $2.25��trillion to the U.S. economy annually, has the largest economic impact of any major sector and accounts for��more than three-quarters��of private-sector research and development. The 51�Թ��� is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the Manufacturers or to follow us on Shopfloor, Twitter and Facebook, please visit��www.nam.org.

Washington, D.C. –��The 51�Թ���’ (51�Թ���) Council of Manufacturing Associations (CMA) has announced that 10 trade associations will be recognized with the��. Winners will be honored at the CMA’s����in Chicago, Illinois this August.

The 10 associations, listed alphabetically, are as follows:

• American Bakers Association
• American Coatings Association
• Fabricators &��Manufacturers Association, International
• Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries
• International Sign Association
• Irrigation Association
• PMMI — The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies
• The Aluminum Association
• The Fertilizer Institute
• The Plastics Industry Association

The 51�Թ��� is proud to recognize and congratulate these outstanding associations for building exemplary work environments, said 51�Թ��� President and CEO Jay Timmons. Manufacturing is about people, and that is just as true on the shop floor as it is in our associations and advocacy work. We’re dedicated to helping all of our CMA members identify best practices and learn from each other. Celebrating the best of the best helps all of us succeed.

Each and every day, these organizations are showing how careers supporting manufacturing can be fun, fulfilling and flexible—not just a good paycheck, said CMA Executive Director Tonya Muse.We’re proud to recognize every one of our CMA partners that is being honored this year and we look forward to recognizing even more outstanding partners in the years to come.

The CMA has partnered with Best Companies Group (BCG), an independent research firm specializing in identifying great places to work, in order to highlight manufacturing associations that go above and beyond for their employees. In addition to getting highlighted by the CMA, the award offers significant organizational benefits, including heightened company pride, improved employee morale and retention and public relations and marketing advantages. Each organization will also receive an anonymous feedback report to help identify and analyze new opportunities to improve their workplace.

The CMA is made up of more than 260 manufacturing trade associations that work together on behalf of manufacturing in the United States. Through their membership, the 51�Թ��� provides knowledge, resources and a great network to help these association CEOs create a stronger and more prosperous manufacturing sector.

-51�Թ���-

The 51�Թ��� (51�Թ���) is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs��more than��12 million men and women, contributes $2.25��trillion to the U.S. economy annually, has the largest economic impact of any major sector and accounts for��more than three-quarters��of private-sector research and development. The 51�Թ��� is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the Manufacturers or to follow us on Shopfloor, Twitter and Facebook, please visit��.

Washington, D.C. –��The 51�Թ��� (51�Թ���) announced in a��letter��to members of the U.S. House of Representatives today that it will key-vote House passage of H.R. 8, the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2018.

Reliable and consistent authorizations for Army Corps civil works projects are required to upgrade and modernize harbors and ports as well as aging inland waterway lock systems, many of which have been around since the Depression’s public works expansion era or post-World War II, �ɰ��dzٱ���51�Թ��� Senior Vice President of Policy and Government Relations Aric Newhouse.

H.R. 8 upholds the two-year legislative authorization cycle to ensure certainty for manufacturers who rely on the movement of goods through ports and inland waterways. It authorizes Army Corps of Engineers civil works projects, as well as studies to initiate such projects, added Newhouse.

The 51�Թ��� has been a leading advocate in the business community for increased infrastructure investment in the United States. �����������here to read the 51�Թ���’s “Building to Win” blueprint for Congress and the administration to repair our roads, bridges, rails, airports, ports, waterways, pipes and pipelines and revolutionize the infrastructure that makes the American Dream possible.

-51�Թ���-

The 51�Թ��� (51�Թ���) is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs more than 12 million men and women, contributes $2.25 trillion to the U.S. economy annually, has the largest economic impact of any major sector and accounts for more than three-quarters of private-sector research and development. The 51�Թ��� is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the Manufacturers or to follow us on Shopfloor, Twitter and Facebook, please visit��.

Washington, D.C. –��51�Թ��� (51�Թ���) President and CEO Jay Timmons released the following statement on the Department of Commerce’s announcement that it is initiating a Section 232 investigation into auto imports:

Manufacturers in the United States want to give every advantage to American workers. But incorrectly using the 232 statute will create unintended consequences for U.S. manufacturing workers that will limit the chance for Americans to win, just as we do when government gets out of the way and allows us to lead. Thanks to tax and regulatory reform, manufacturers’ outlook is at record levels—with 93 percent expressing confidence about the state of the economy. Manufacturing is growing and thriving for the better, creating millions of well-paying jobs for Americans across the country. We cannot endanger this progress by restricting trade and promoting retaliation against American-made products that will undermine manufacturing and jeopardize the jobs of manufacturing workers in the United States.

-51�Թ���-

The 51�Թ��� (51�Թ���) is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs more than 12 million men and women, contributes $2.25 trillion to the U.S. economy annually, has the largest economic impact of any major sector and accounts for more than three-quarters of private-sector research and development. The 51�Թ��� is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the Manufacturers or to follow us on Shopfloor, Twitter and Facebook, please visit��.

Washington, D.C. –��51�Թ��� (51�Թ���) President and CEO Jay Timmons released the following statement backing the Jobs and Opportunity with Benefits and Services (JOBS) for Success Act of 2018, which is being marked up by the House Ways and Means Committee today:

The JOBS for Success Act creates new opportunities for people left behind to join the 21st-century manufacturing workforce, said Timmons. This legislation will help us upskill more Americans for the new-collar jobs of the future, provide the dignity of work along with the necessary wraparound social services to support people at work and enhance the talents of those who are unemployed or underemployed by allowing them to find meaningful career paths in a rapidly changing and evolving economy.

Manufacturers in America have a lot to be confident about, thanks to recent tax and regulatory reforms that have spurred record levels of optimism. But with 391,000 openings today for skilled workers and 3.5 million positions to fill by 2025, workforce solutions, such as the JOBS for Success Act, are a must for our country to remain competitive and stand out as exceptional in the global economy.

Timmons is the board chairman of��, the 51�Թ���’s 501c3 affiliate dedicated to developing and implementing solutions to workforce development issues affecting the manufacturing sector. Timmons also served on the U.S. Department of Labor’s Task Force on Apprenticeship Expansion.

-51�Թ���-

The 51�Թ��� (51�Թ���) is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs more than 12 million men and women, contributes $2.25 trillion to the U.S. economy annually, has the largest economic impact of any major sector and accounts for more than three-quarters of private-sector research and development. The 51�Թ��� is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the Manufacturers or to follow us on Shopfloor, Twitter and Facebook, please visit��.

Washington, D.C. –��A����from the 51�Թ��� (51�Թ���) shows that manufacturers are keeping their promise after passage of the historic tax reform legislation by boosting wages, hiring and investment. The survey, to be released today by Emerson Chairman and CEO and 51�Թ��� Board Chair David Farr during a House Ways and Means Committee hearing, shows 72 percent of manufacturers are increasing employee wages or benefits, 77 percent are hiring more workers and 86 percent are investing in new equipment and facilities. Last month, the 51�Թ���’s Manufacturers’ Outlook Survey found��optimism among manufacturers registered the second-highest level ever recorded (93.5 percent) in the 20-year history of the survey.

Almost exactly one year ago, I appeared before Congress to make the case for tax reform that would make America fiercely competitive. Congress and the president kept their promise and delivered. Now, it’s our��time to keep��our promises and deliver—and we are, said Farr. Manufacturing in America is now rising to new heights, thanks to tax reform, and as a result, manufacturers of all sizes are already investing more, growing more, hiring more and paying more. They are already improving lives and livelihoods. And, as the survey results I’m releasing today show, we manufacturers are just getting started.

At 10:00 a.m. EDT this morning, Farr will review the survey results during his testimony at a House Ways and Means Committee hearing focused on the impact of tax reform on the U.S. economy, job creators and workers.

Manufacturers were a leading advocate for the historic tax cut legislation signed into law by President Trump, saying they would hire more, invest more and compensate their workers more if the legislation was passed. In the spirit of that commitment, the 51�Թ��� recently launched the��“Keeping Our Promise” campaign—a new series of original stories from manufacturers about how they are utilizing the new tax law to benefit their businesses and workers.��You can learn more about the survey and the “Keeping Our Promise” campaign��here.

-51�Թ���-

The 51�Թ��� (51�Թ���) is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs��more than��12 million men and women, contributes $2.25��trillion to the U.S. economy annually, has the largest economic impact of any major sector and accounts for��more than three-quarters��of private-sector research and development. The 51�Թ��� is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the Manufacturers or to follow us on Shopfloor, Twitter and Facebook, please visit��www.nam.org.

Washington, D.C. – 51�Թ��� (51�Թ���) Vice President of International Economic Affairs Linda Dempsey testified at today’s U.S. Trade Representative on the proposed Section 301 tariffs. Dempsey’s testimony focused on the U.S.–China trading relationship and reiterated 51�Թ��� President and CEO Jay Timmons’ call for the Trump administration to pursue a bilateral trade agreement with China.

The Section 301 investigation has certainly raised the level of focus, here and in China, that we hope it will provide just the opening to move forward aggressively on a strategic new approach, Dempsey said in her testimony. As 51�Թ��� President and CEO Jay Timmons explained in a letter to the president on January 8, the most effective path forward is a comprehensive and strategic approach that has at its core a modern, innovative, bilateral trade agreement that restructures our economic relationship with China. While tariffs may provide short-term relief to some, we are hearing regularly and broadly from manufacturers across the country who are deeply concerned about the harmful, albeit unintended, impacts that the imposition of proposed tariffs would have on manufacturing and jobs.

�������������to read Dempsey’s prepared oral testimony.

Last month, Dempsey����before a����on market access challenges in China, where she also advocated an enforceable, rules-based bilateral trade agreement between the United States and China.

-51�Թ���-��

The 51�Թ��� (51�Թ���) is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs more than 12 million men and women, contributes $2.25 trillion to the U.S. economy annually, has the largest economic impact of any major sector and accounts for more than three-quarters of private-sector research and development. The 51�Թ��� is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the Manufacturers or to follow us on Shopfloor, Twitter and Facebook, please visit��.

Washington, D.C. – 51�Թ��� (51�Թ���) President and CEO Jay Timmons released the following statement on the kickoff of the sixth annual Infrastructure Week:

It’s time to build. We cannot have a true 21st-century economy relying on 20th-century infrastructure. So, this week, manufacturers are helping lead the charge for bold investment in our nation’s infrastructure, allying with people from across the political spectrum and urging Congress to act, said Timmons. Infrastructure is one of the rare issues that enjoys widespread support, so there’s no reason for delay or inaction. And with our ’ agenda, manufacturers have charted the way forward. Like tax reform, a significant investment in our nation’s infrastructure has the power to supercharge manufacturing in America by improving our competitiveness while also making our families and communities safer. Manufacturing jobs are at risk—and our standing in the world is threatened—every day we delay. When we invest in our roads, bridges, ports, pipes, power grid, telecommunications and so much more, we’re investing in America’s manufacturing workers and in our nation’s future.

The Fertilizer Institute President Chris Jahn, who serves as chairman of the 51�Թ���’s Council of Manufacturing Associations (CMA), will participate in a panel discussion on rural infrastructure investment as a part of the kickoff event being held at Washington, D.C.’s Union Station. The full program will be livestreamed here:��

The 51�Թ��� is a member of Infrastructure Week’s Steering Committee, which also includes the AFL-CIO, American Society of Civil Engineers, Brookings Metropolitan Policy Program, Building America’s Future, Business Roundtable, U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Value of Water Campaign. More information can be found at��

-51�Թ���-

��The 51�Թ��� (51�Թ���) is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs more than 12 million men and women, contributes $2.25 trillion to the U.S. economy annually, has the largest economic impact of any major sector and accounts for more than three-quarters of private-sector research and development. The 51�Թ��� is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the Manufacturers or to follow us on Shopfloor, Twitter and Facebook, please visit��.