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Coalition Targets Imports Using Foreign Steel and Aluminum
WASHINGTON, May 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ – A coalition of U.S. trailer manufacturers has filed a formal request with the U.S. Department of Commerce to include dry van and refrigerated trailers (reefers)—as well as their subassemblies—within the scope of Section 232 tariffs on derivative steel and aluminum products.
The request, submitted May 15 by Wiley Rein LLP on behalf of the American Trailer Manufacturers Coalition, includes major industry players such as Great Dane, Stoughton Trailers, Strick Trailers, and Wabash.
According to the filing, imports of foreign-manufactured trailers containing foreign steel and aluminum are undermining the effectiveness of Section 232 measures and threatening the viability of the U.S. dry van and reefer manufacturing industry.
Domestic Industry Impact and Legal Representation
The coalition’s legal counsel is Robert E. DeFrancesco, a partner in Wiley’s International Trade Practice, supported by partner Laura El-Sabaawi and associate John Allen Riggins.
Production sites for the four trailer makers span Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. The coalition claims these facilities have suffered harm from unfairly priced imports of dry vans and reefers that avoid tariffs by exploiting loopholes in current trade enforcement.
Dry van and reefer trailers are considered critical infrastructure components in U.S. freight and logistics networks. The coalition argues that extending Section 232 tariffs would help maintain a competitive domestic industry and preserve essential supply chain resilience.
Tariff Decision Expected Within 60 Days
Under the request, imports of trailers entering under Harmonized Tariff Schedule subheading 8716.39.0040 would be subject to a 25% tariff on their steel and aluminum content, not on the full value of the trailer itself. This would level the playing field for U.S. producers, the coalition says, and ensure foreign competitors cannot bypass tariff impacts through downstream products.
The Department of Commerce is expected to issue a decision within 60 days of the submission date.
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