EU, US Seek Path Forward on Trade Talks

You Auto Know 02/07/20

European Union Trade Commissioner Phil Hogan was in Washington, D.C. this week to meet with top U.S. trade officials, including U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Robert Lighthizer.  The visit, his second to Washington in less than a month, is aimed at restarting stalled trade discussions between the EU and US and may be a precursor to a visit from new European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. 

Last year, the Trump Administration agreed to put threatened EU auto tariffs on hold while the two sides negotiated ways to improve their trading relationship, and then allowed a deadline for a Section 232 (national security) tariff decision to lapse.  However, just a few weeks ago the president reiterated the threat of auto tariffs against the EU if the talks do not come to what he determined to be a satisfactory conclusion.

USMCA

Though USMCA is officially law, signed by President Trump last week, the agreement still must be ratified by Canada before it can go into force.  Canadian Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland was in Washington this week for meetings with USTR Lighthizer and Canada is expected to approve the agreement in the next few months.

PRO Act

The Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act passed the U.S. House of Representatives this week by a vote of 224-193.  Las week, in partnership with the Coalition for a Democratic Workplace, AIADA signed a letter to members of the U.S. House of Representatives urging a vote against the PRO Act. The PRO Act would make it easier for workers to certify unions, change how employers classify workers, eliminate state right-to-work laws, and block laws that protect employees from not paying union dues, among other things. The bill is not expected to move in the U.S. Senate.

  

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 Quotes of the Week

"I think 232 is the statute most vulnerable to presidential overreach and therefore most in need of reform. I think the argument that imports of aluminum, steel, or autos threaten our national security is hard to take seriously.  Making sure that Section 232 is not misused or abused by a president matters, first and foremost, because we are a nation of laws, but also because other countries are watching what we do and will likely follow our lead."

               -Representative Stephanie Murphy (D-FL), member of the House Ways & Means trade subcommittee and sponsor of the Reclaiming Congressional Trade Authority Act (Inside U.S. Trade)

"Our view is let's focus on trade and not tariffs. "[The administration should] focus on trade deals with our partners overseas so businesses can plan and thrive in a stable economic landscape."

             -Marty Durbin, President, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Global Energy Institute (Politico)

"The PRO Act is a grab bag of harmful provisions to small businesses and employees. It's like the ghost of labor issues past."

             -Matt Haller, Senior Vice President of Government Relations and Public Affairs, International Franchise Association (The Hill)

Don't Miss

Don't miss AIADA's 50th Annual Meeting and Luncheon in Las Vegas on February 17th during NADA's annual convention to join fellow dealers in celebrating AIADA's 50th year.  Don't miss out!  Register today by clicking here!

Must Listen

Check out the latest Beltway Talk podcast, featuring Cox Automotive's Charlie Chesbrough with a monthly roundup of auto industry sales figures.

Friday Funny

Package Labeled 'Bag Full of Drugs' Leads to Florida Arrests

Two men charged with drug trafficking could have done a better job hiding their wares than using a package labeled "Bag Full of Drugs," Florida authorities said.

Ian Simmons and Joshua Reinhardt, both 34, were pulled over in Santa Rosa County on Saturday after a trooper clocked them going 95 mph on Interstate 10 on the state's Panhandle, according to a Florida Highway Patrol arrest report.

The trooper determined that Reinhardt was the subject of an active felony warrant for violation of probation in Orange County. He requested backup.

A Santa Rosa County Sheriff's deputy arrived to assist, and a K-9 alerted to the presence of contraband in the vehicle, the arrest report said. Both men were taken into custody and taken to jail. 

"Note to self- do not traffic your illegal narcotics in bags labeled 'Bag Full Of Drugs,'" deputies wrote on Facebook. "Our K-9's can read."

 (Associated Press)

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