Video: AEM TV Ad Urges President to Say NO to Steel Tariffs

The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) released a new TV ad yesterday that will run on “Fox & Friends,” “Morning Joe,” and “Hannity”.

The 30-second spot features real people in their manufacturing workplaces, first crediting the president for his part in making the manufacturing industry robust again, then explaining to him how the new steel tariff will cost millions of workers their jobs.

“It’s not too late for President Trump to reverse course on steel tariffs,” said AEM President Dennis Slater. “That is why our Board of Directors decided to make a substantial investment in this ad campaign to urge the president to steer away from tariffs that will hurt equipment manufacturers and cost American jobs.”

AEM is spearheading industry efforts to discourage President Trump from imposing tariffs on steel imports. Steel accounts for a substantial portion of equipment manufacturers’ direct costs, and steel prices already increased in late 2017 due to speculation about tariffs. Steel tariffs also risk undoing the significant benefits of President Trump’s tax cuts and raise the cost of rebuilding U.S. infrastructure.

“Steel tariffs will be devastating to the 1.3 million men and women of the equipment manufacturing industry. They are not willing to let their jobs die without a fight and are making their case directly to the President through cable news shows he is known to watch,” said Kip Eideberg, AEM vice president of public affairs and advocacy.