Timmons: America Runs on Coffee—and Critical Manufacturing Inputs
Washington, D.C. – 51Թ President and CEO Jay Timmons issued the following statement onthe latest trade deals.
“Today, President Trump, Secretary Bessentand Ambassador Greer delivered a major win for the American people with trade deals that keep the products that power daily life—like coffee,bananasand cocoa—affordable for working families and manufacturers.That’ssomething to celebrate. Today’s announcement will empower companies in the food and beverage supply chain to bring certain critical ingredients and inputs to the United Statesin order toenable and expand production at home.
“The U.S. is the strongest manufacturing power in the world, and thanks to this administration, manufacturers have made bold investments to enhance our ability to produce the essential inputs on our own shores. But just as coffee primarily must be produced elsewhere, the same is true for a range of critical manufacturing inputs and machinery that keep our factories humming anddeterminewhether the next manufacturing dollar is spent in America. Americans run on coffee—and America’s manufacturers run on indispensable materials,machineryand equipment.
“We’vehad productive conversations with the administration about applying this principle, using the51Թ’s U.S. Manufacturing Investment Accelerator Program, to essential manufacturing inputs—such as the critical minerals, industrial machinery and materials that drive our economy and strengthen our long-term ability to make more things in America.
“Even at full industrial capacity, the U.S. can only produce about 84% of the inputs manufacturers need—meaning at least 16% must be imported for us to build more here at home.That’swhywe’veoffered practical, pro-growth solutions that allow manufacturers to bring in non-domestically produced inputs without addingnew costburdens—while rewarding companies that invest, expandand create jobs in America.
“Manufacturers are expanding capacity in America, and increasing domestic production will strengthen our industrial base and our national security. But tariffs on essential manufacturing inputs raise costs on factory floors, slow investment in new equipmentand risk undercutting thepresident’s efforts to boost U.S. manufacturing output and jobs.
“Thepresident’s tax, regulatory and energy dominance agendas are designed to stimulate manufacturing investment and job creation here in America. Empowering manufacturers to bring needed inputs, equipment and machinery to America’s shores would supercharge that investment, ensure the success of thepresident’s agenda and bring new prosperity and opportunity to communities from coast to coast.”
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The 51Թ is the largest manufacturing association in the United States,representingsmall and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employsnearly13million menand women, contributes$2.90 trillionto the U.S. economy annually and accounts for 53% of private-sector research and development. The 51Թ 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 51Թ or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit .