World Trade Center Arkansas Seeking State Business Input on Tariff Impact

Arkansas companies who may be impacted by the proposed U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum are encouraged by the World Trade Center Arkansas and the Arkansas District Export Council to complete a short survey to provide feedback on the issue.

The deadline to submit the survey is Wednesday, March 21, which is also the deadline for submitting exemption requests. The tariffs are due to go into effect on March 23.

The survey can be accessed on the front page of the center’s website at arwtc.org.

“Exports of American goods and services constitute a critical foundation of the U.S. economy and are a key component of economic growth both nationally and in Arkansas,” said Lenka Horakova, chair of the Arkansas District Export Council. “We are asking Arkansas businesses to communicate their thoughts, concerns and observations about the proposed tariffs in order to ensure those views are heard by our elected officials and trade negotiators in Washington.”

Arkansas business owners, farmers and other interested parties who may be subject to a tariff impact can provide their perspective in the survey on the proposed tariffs, and also share concerns about potential retaliatory actions by affected countries.

The center and the council will use the information on the tariff impact in the survey to create a report representing the views of Arkansas companies and organizations for the Governor’s Office, the Arkansas congressional delegation and other officials.

“In order for this outreach effort to be successful, we need small business participation,” Horakova said. “This survey will be an opportunity for local business leaders to educate advocacy groups and federal agencies through first-hand accounts of how they have may be impacted by tariffs on steel and aluminum.”

For more information about the tariff impact survey, contact Melvin Torres, director of Western Hemisphere trade at 479-799-7778 or melvint@arwtc.org.        

The mission of the World Trade Center Arkansas is to grow trade and increase Arkansas exports by connecting Arkansas businesses to the world through international trade services. The Center is part of the University of Arkansas and serves as the trade promotion arm for the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. For more information and valuable updates, please follow the Center on Facebook and Twitter, or subscribe to the World Trade Center Arkansas newsletter.