Challenged by the effects of tariffs and economic uncertainty, the Motor and Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA), Original Equipment Suppliers Association (OESA), the Association for Sustainable Manufacturing (MERA), and business leaders met with members of the Michigan Congressional delegation last week to discuss international trade policy issues.
The industry organizations represent the larger motor vehicle supplier industry — a global but, according to these proponents, fragile industry struggling to navigate the minefield of current policy concerns in the United States. They are concerned that events, such as an ongoing trade war, the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and other uncertainties, could discourage investment, jobs, and innovation and create ever-increasing challenges for international trade.
U.S. Reps. Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Haley Stevens (D-MI), and Andy Levin (D-MI) were addressed these concerns at an event held in Plymouth, Mich., near one of the historical hearts of the U.S. auto industry — Detroit. They were joined by MEMA President and CEO Bill Long, OESA President and CEO Julie Fream, and MERA President and CEO John Chalifoux.
“This was an important opportunity for these dedicated members of Congress to hear straight from our members how decisions in Washington impact businesses across the country,” Long said. “It is our role to provide the opportunities for communication at this level, and we are grateful for all of those who came and shared their input today.”
The event acted as a sort of roundtable between government and industry and was a piece of a larger project currently being undertaken by MEMA: the Supplier Advocacy Network. That project seeks to create discussion between suppliers and elected officials to address how policy issues affect U.S. businesses.