World Trade Center Arkansas Seeking State Business Input on Tariff Impact

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Proposed tariffs go into effect March 23.

ROGERS, Ark. – 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 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 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 contact Melvin Torres, director of Western Hemisphere trade at 479-799-7778 or melvint@arwtc.org.        

About the World Trade Center Arkansas: 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.

About the University of Arkansas: The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in more than 200 academic programs. The university contributes new knowledge, economic development, basic and applied research, and creative activity while also providing service to academic and professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the University of Arkansas among only 2 percent of universities in America that have the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of Arkansas among its top American public research universities. Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas comprises 10 colleges and schools and maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio that promotes personal attention and close mentoring.