Plumbing
Manufacturers International (PMI) voiced its opposition to today’s
increase of List 3 tariffs on Chinese goods to 25 percent. PMI and its
members also reiterated the need for congressional action in support of
EPA WaterSense program funding, the United States-Mexico-Canada
Agreement (USMCA), and investments in America’s infrastructure as the
trade association concluded its Washington, D.C., Legislative Forum and
Fly-In held earlier this week. PMI will continue its governmental
advocacy efforts next week at the May 13-14 Sacramento (Calif.)
Legislative Forum and Fly-In.
“The plumbing products manufacturing industry delivers for the American
economy, contributing $85.5 billion in economic impact and more than
464,000 jobs. With so many young Americans making their first
home-buying decisions, and the aging stock of homes ripe for remodeling
and renovation, the administration’s increased tariffs only serve to
push up housing prices and keep more families from achieving the
American dream of home ownership,” said Kerry Stackpole, PMI
CEO/executive director. “Couple that with increased costs for outfitting
commercial, government and industrial construction projects brought on
by 25 percent tariff rates, and it becomes clear these additional costs
spell trouble for jobs and the economy.”
List 3 tariffs increase will harm the U.S. economy and worker
PMI is one of 150 organizations participating in the Tariffs
Hurt the Heartland coalition, which has quantified the harm the
tariffs are having on the U.S. economy. Stackpole said the tariffs have
caused supply chain disruption, a hold on jobs growth, and higher costs
within the plumbing manufacturing industry and related industries. A report
from Trade Partnership Worldwide estimates that this latest increase
to 25 percent will cost America nearly one million jobs. See
PMI’s Tariffs issue brief.
EPA WaterSense program funding
With President Donald Trump’s fiscal year 2020 budget recommending the
elimination of the WaterSense program, PMI is asking congressional
appropriations committees to provide instructions to the EPA to not cut
the program, which has saved Americans 3 trillion gallons of water and
billions of dollars in water and energy expenses over the past decade on
only a $3 million annual budget. See PMI’s
WaterSense issue brief.
PMI member companies have been leaders in developing water-saving
technologies promoted by the WaterSense program, Stackpole said. WaterSense
awards its certification label to products that are 20 percent more
water-efficient than products meeting the minimum federal efficiency
standard and performing as well as or better than standard models.
Nearly 28,000 water-efficient products carry the WaterSense label.
USMCA will promote economic and job growth
PMI strongly urges U.S. ratification of the USMCA, Stackpole said, with
the continued success of U.S. manufacturing depending on North American
partnerships. “Ratifying the USMCA will help plumbing manufacturers grow
in the United States, compete globally, and support thousands of
well-paying manufacturing jobs across the country,” he said. The North
American commercial market is one of the most important markets for
manufacturers in the United States. Canada and Mexico alone purchase
one-fifth of the total value of U.S. manufacturing output. See PMI’s
USMCA issue brief.
Infrastructural investment urgently needed
The American
Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Infrastructure Report Card gives
a D+ grade to the national infrastructure. Therefore, PMI encourages
leaders in Washington to work in a bipartisan manner to increase
investments in federal infrastructure programs, such as the
Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA), Clean
Water State Revolving Fund, Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, and
Water Infrastructure Finance & Innovation Act (WIFIA). See PMI’s
Infrastructure Issue Brief.
PMI also calls for the issuance of tax-exempt bonds (similar to Move
America Bonds or Build America Bonds) that provide state and local
governments and private-sector purchasers with tax credits to attract
non-federal investment in public infrastructure, as well as the
establishment of a National Infrastructure Bank that would offer
long-term, low-interest loans to finance projects that are larger than
$100 million, achieve goals of regional or national importance, provide
a clear public benefit, and are backed by an identified revenue stream
that repays the loan.
About Plumbing Manufacturers International
Plumbing Manufacturers International (PMI) is the trade association of
plumbing product manufacturers that produce more than 90 percent of the
United States’ plumbing products, represent more than 150 iconic brands,
and develop safe, reliable and innovative water-efficient plumbing
technologies. PMI members contribute more than 464,000 jobs and $85.5
billion in economic impact to America’s economy.
With a vision of safe, responsible plumbing – always, PMI advocates for
plumbing product performance contributing to water efficiency and
savings, sustainability, public health and safety, and consumer
satisfaction. PMI members manufacture water-efficient toilets, urinals,
faucets, showerheads and other products at more than 70 locations across
the country and market them online and in home improvement stores,
hardware stores and showrooms in all 50 states. For more information on
PMI, contact the organization at 1750 Tysons Blvd., Ste. 1500, McLean,
Va., 22102; tel.: 847-481-5500; fax: 847-481-5501. www.safeplumbing.org.
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