WASHINGTON, D.C. — May 17, 2019 — The Can Manufacturers Institute (CMI) applauds the exclusion of aluminum and steel tariffs from the U.S. Canada and Mexico Trade Agreement.
U.S. can manufacturers are thrilled that an agreement is being reached without tariffs or quotas.
The can industry relies on imported metal to make up for shortfalls of domestic steel and aluminum production. U.S. steel and aluminum producers are unable to satisfy domestic demand for beverage. food, aerosol and other can production. Forty-two percent of tinplate steel needs to be imported to manufacture food cans that provide nutritious product for American consumers. More than 60 percent of primary aluminum needs to be imported from foreign sources to produce aluminum cansheet used to manufacture beverage cans.
In the meantime, CMI is awaiting clarification from the Commerce Department on what the agreement means for imported aluminum and steel from these two countries, along with a response for exclusión of can manufacturers exclusions from the tariffs. We have asked Commerce Secretary Ross to meet with us so we can explain why granting can manufacturers exclusion applications are essential to maintaining food and beverage can competitiveness.
The more than 22,000 can manufacturer employees take great pride in producing durable metal containers for nutritious, affordable, accessible foods and beverages.
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The Can Manufacturers Institute (CMI) is the national trade association of the metal can manufacturing industry and its suppliers in the United States. The can industry accounts for the annual domestic production of approximately 119 billion food, beverage and general line cans; which employs more than 28,000 people with plants in 33 states, Puerto Rico and American Samoa; and generates about $17.8 billion in direct economic activity. CMI members are committed to providing safe, nutritious and refreshing canned food and beverages to consumers.
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