By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. and China signed a “phase one” trade deal whereby China will buy more U.S. goods and implement some structural changes to its trade laws. However, the Trump Administration maintains that 25% tariffs imposed by the United States on List 1, 2 and 3 products will not be reduced or eliminated until November at the earliest, when the United States will review and confirm China’s compliance under the accord.  

The United States began imposing tariffs on various imports from China in July 2018. Lists 1 and 2 include miscellaneous metal and rubber parts, wiring and measurement devices. List 3 covers most auto parts imported from China. The tariff rates are 25%, and collectively the tariffs cover about $250 billion in products.

In September 2019, the United States also began collecting 15% tariffs on some List 4 products. The list covers finished consumer products ranging from toys, footwear and clothing to cell phones and computers. Some of the tariffs were never imposed. For the other product lines subject to levies, the tariffs will be reduced to 7.5% on February 14.

The phase-one accord includes intellectual property enforcement measures for patents, trademarks, trade secrets and counterfeit goods. It also addresses unfair Chinese technology transfer practices, including an end to the practice of pressuring foreign companies to transfer their technology to Chinese companies as a condition for obtaining market access, administrative licenses or receiving advantages from the government. The agreement should help prevent currency manipulation with a ban on competitive devaluation and targeting of exchange rates. The agreement will include a dispute resolution mechanism via bilateral consultations with the ability to impose tariffs if disputes cannot be resolved.

A phase-two agreement will seek to address other outstanding issues, such as reducing the U.S.-China trade imbalance, addressing cybertheft and stopping Chinese subsidization of key industries. Phase-two negotiations are not expected to begin in earnest until after the November 2020 election. A reduction or removal of the 25% tariffs on List 1, 2 and 3 products may not be implemented until those negotiations are completed. 

For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. and China signed a “phase one” trade deal whereby China will buy more U.S. goods and implement some structural changes to its trade laws. However, the Trump Administration maintains that 25% tariffs imposed by the United States on List 1, 2 and 3 products will not be reduced or eliminated until November at the earliest, when the United States will review and confirm China’s compliance under the accord.  

The United States began imposing tariffs on various imports from China in July 2018. Lists 1 and 2 include miscellaneous metal and rubber parts, wiring and measurement devices. List 3 covers most auto parts imported from China. The tariff rates are 25%, and collectively the tariffs cover about $250 billion in products.

In September 2019, the United States also began collecting 15% tariffs on some List 4 products. The list covers finished consumer products ranging from toys, footwear and clothing to cell phones and computers. Some of the tariffs were never imposed. For the other product lines subject to levies, the tariffs will be reduced to 7.5% on February 14.

The phase-one accord includes intellectual property enforcement measures for patents, trademarks, trade secrets and counterfeit goods. It also addresses unfair Chinese technology transfer practices, including an end to the practice of pressuring foreign companies to transfer their technology to Chinese companies as a condition for obtaining market access, administrative licenses or receiving advantages from the government. The agreement should help prevent currency manipulation with a ban on competitive devaluation and targeting of exchange rates. The agreement will include a dispute resolution mechanism via bilateral consultations with the ability to impose tariffs if disputes cannot be resolved.

A phase-two agreement will seek to address other outstanding issues, such as reducing the U.S.-China trade imbalance, addressing cybertheft and stopping Chinese subsidization of key industries. Phase-two negotiations are not expected to begin in earnest until after the November 2020 election. A reduction or removal of the 25% tariffs on List 1, 2 and 3 products may not be implemented until those negotiations are completed. 

For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

By Richard Hail

The world premiere of the “SEMA: Battle of the Builders” TV special will debut on A+E Networks’ FYI and HISTORY’s DRIVE block, Sunday, January 26.

The “SEMA: Battle of the Builders” TV special will debut on A+E Networks’ FYI and HISTORY’s DRIVE block on January 26. Join hosts Adrienne “AJ” Janic and Tanner Foust and judges RJ DeVera (Meguiar’s), Cam Miller (HS Customs) and Jeremiah Proffitt (Proffitt’s Resurrection Land Cruisers) as they take you backstage at the 2019 SEMA Show.

The one-hour program highlights skilled builders who are competing for the industry’s ultimate accolade—the Battle of the Builders Top Builder Trophy. Beginning with nearly 300 entries, the Top 40 vehicles are chosen from four distinct categories—Hot Rod, Sport Compact, Truck/Off-Road, and Young Guns—and go head-to-head in a battle for top build.

Meet the builders, hear their stories and watch as the judges determine who advances to the Top 12. The Top 12 builders then take over judging duties to pick the 2019 Battle of the Builders champion who is announced during SEMA Ignited—the official SEMA Show after-party.  

For more details about SEMA Battle of the Builders and the TV special airing January 26, at 9:00 AM (EST), visit www.semabotb.com and view the exclusive trailer on SEMA’s YouTube channel.

By Richard Hail

The world premiere of the “SEMA: Battle of the Builders” TV special will debut on A+E Networks’ FYI and HISTORY’s DRIVE block, Sunday, January 26.

The “SEMA: Battle of the Builders” TV special will debut on A+E Networks’ FYI and HISTORY’s DRIVE block on January 26. Join hosts Adrienne “AJ” Janic and Tanner Foust and judges RJ DeVera (Meguiar’s), Cam Miller (HS Customs) and Jeremiah Proffitt (Proffitt’s Resurrection Land Cruisers) as they take you backstage at the 2019 SEMA Show.

The one-hour program highlights skilled builders who are competing for the industry’s ultimate accolade—the Battle of the Builders Top Builder Trophy. Beginning with nearly 300 entries, the Top 40 vehicles are chosen from four distinct categories—Hot Rod, Sport Compact, Truck/Off-Road, and Young Guns—and go head-to-head in a battle for top build.

Meet the builders, hear their stories and watch as the judges determine who advances to the Top 12. The Top 12 builders then take over judging duties to pick the 2019 Battle of the Builders champion who is announced during SEMA Ignited—the official SEMA Show after-party.  

For more details about SEMA Battle of the Builders and the TV special airing January 26, at 9:00 AM (EST), visit www.semabotb.com and view the exclusive trailer on SEMA’s YouTube channel.

By Richard Hail

The world premiere of the “SEMA: Battle of the Builders” TV special will debut on A+E Networks’ FYI and HISTORY’s DRIVE block, Sunday, January 26.

The “SEMA: Battle of the Builders” TV special will debut on A+E Networks’ FYI and HISTORY’s DRIVE block on January 26. Join hosts Adrienne “AJ” Janic and Tanner Foust and judges RJ DeVera (Meguiar’s), Cam Miller (HS Customs) and Jeremiah Proffitt (Proffitt’s Resurrection Land Cruisers) as they take you backstage at the 2019 SEMA Show.

The one-hour program highlights skilled builders who are competing for the industry’s ultimate accolade—the Battle of the Builders Top Builder Trophy. Beginning with nearly 300 entries, the Top 40 vehicles are chosen from four distinct categories—Hot Rod, Sport Compact, Truck/Off-Road, and Young Guns—and go head-to-head in a battle for top build.

Meet the builders, hear their stories and watch as the judges determine who advances to the Top 12. The Top 12 builders then take over judging duties to pick the 2019 Battle of the Builders champion who is announced during SEMA Ignited—the official SEMA Show after-party.  

For more details about SEMA Battle of the Builders and the TV special airing January 26, at 9:00 AM (EST), visit www.semabotb.com and view the exclusive trailer on SEMA’s YouTube channel.

By Juliet Marshall

The college is seeking industry participation in either the mock interview portion of the event, and/or to host an info booth to showcase employment opportunities in your organization.

Rio Hondo College will host a High School Automotive Skills Competition, Wednesday, January 22–Thursday, January 23.

The eight different test stations involved in the competition are:

• Electrical Circuits
• Fasteners and Hardware Identification
• Precision Tools/Measurements
• Mock Interview
• Suspension
• Hand Tool Identification
• Engine Performance
• Electronic Info Systems

The college is seeking industry participation in either the mock interview portion of the event, and/or to host an info booth to showcase employment opportunities in your organization.

The competition is open to high school juniors and seniors currently enrolled in an automotive program. There will be 12 schools participating in a two-day skills competition, with each day featuring six different local-area high schools. Each school will have four students taking part in the event. In addition to the competition, the Rio Hondo College Automotive Department will host an Industry Fair for attending students to learn about career opportunities in the automotive industry.

To learn more about this opportunity to market your organization to hundreds of high school students, contact Claudia Romo at Claudia.Romo@riohondo.edu.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) granted exclusion requests for 68 product lines from the “List 3” tariffs on products imported from China and subject to 25% tariffs. The products cover a wide variety of commodities including several auto parts, such as:

• Lubricating pumps for internal combustion piston engines (described in statistical reporting number 8413.30.9060).
• Hand- or foot-operated air pumps, each weighing 400 g or more but not over 3 kg, with a maximum pressure of 1.52 MPa, imported with adapters for valves for tires and inner tubes (described in statistical reporting number 8414.20.0000).
• Ventilation fans for motor vehicles, consisting of a 12 V DC reversible multispeed electric motor drawing 5 A, with axial fan blade, electrically operating baffle, electric keypad and circuit board and wire mesh screen, measuring no more than 36 cm by 36 cm (described in statistical reporting number 8414.59.6540).
• Wireless battery chargers for mobile phones, each in the form of a picture frame incorporating a wireless charger or a stand incorporating a wireless charger that permits the mobile phone to be charged while standing on end (described in statistical reporting number 8504.40.8500).
• Alternators for motor-vehicle charging systems (described in statistical reporting number 8511.50.0000).
• Alarms to be installed in motor vehicles, each of which provides either a warning sound or a warning sound and a flashing light when a motor vehicle is being operated in reverse (described in statistical reporting number 8512.30.0040).

View the entire list.

Questions? Contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) granted exclusion requests for 68 product lines from the “List 3” tariffs on products imported from China and subject to 25% tariffs. The products cover a wide variety of commodities including several auto parts, such as:

• Lubricating pumps for internal combustion piston engines (described in statistical reporting number 8413.30.9060).
• Hand- or foot-operated air pumps, each weighing 400 g or more but not over 3 kg, with a maximum pressure of 1.52 MPa, imported with adapters for valves for tires and inner tubes (described in statistical reporting number 8414.20.0000).
• Ventilation fans for motor vehicles, consisting of a 12 V DC reversible multispeed electric motor drawing 5 A, with axial fan blade, electrically operating baffle, electric keypad and circuit board and wire mesh screen, measuring no more than 36 cm by 36 cm (described in statistical reporting number 8414.59.6540).
• Wireless battery chargers for mobile phones, each in the form of a picture frame incorporating a wireless charger or a stand incorporating a wireless charger that permits the mobile phone to be charged while standing on end (described in statistical reporting number 8504.40.8500).
• Alternators for motor-vehicle charging systems (described in statistical reporting number 8511.50.0000).
• Alarms to be installed in motor vehicles, each of which provides either a warning sound or a warning sound and a flashing light when a motor vehicle is being operated in reverse (described in statistical reporting number 8512.30.0040).

View the entire list.

Questions? Contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) granted exclusion requests for 68 product lines from the “List 3” tariffs on products imported from China and subject to 25% tariffs. The products cover a wide variety of commodities including several auto parts, such as:

• Lubricating pumps for internal combustion piston engines (described in statistical reporting number 8413.30.9060).
• Hand- or foot-operated air pumps, each weighing 400 g or more but not over 3 kg, with a maximum pressure of 1.52 MPa, imported with adapters for valves for tires and inner tubes (described in statistical reporting number 8414.20.0000).
• Ventilation fans for motor vehicles, consisting of a 12 V DC reversible multispeed electric motor drawing 5 A, with axial fan blade, electrically operating baffle, electric keypad and circuit board and wire mesh screen, measuring no more than 36 cm by 36 cm (described in statistical reporting number 8414.59.6540).
• Wireless battery chargers for mobile phones, each in the form of a picture frame incorporating a wireless charger or a stand incorporating a wireless charger that permits the mobile phone to be charged while standing on end (described in statistical reporting number 8504.40.8500).
• Alternators for motor-vehicle charging systems (described in statistical reporting number 8511.50.0000).
• Alarms to be installed in motor vehicles, each of which provides either a warning sound or a warning sound and a flashing light when a motor vehicle is being operated in reverse (described in statistical reporting number 8512.30.0040).

View the entire list.

Questions? Contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

By Kristopher Porter

After a milestone year, the SEMA Truck and Off-Road Alliance (TORA) is gearing up for a monumental 2020 and encouraging its members to voice their opinions.

“TORA is committed to helping businesses overcome professional challenges by addressing new technologies and issues facing the truck and off-road industry,” said Erika Marquez, TORA chairperson. “The council made some significant advancements in 2019 and has a strong momentum going into the new year, and we’re hoping that members will share their thoughts on what educational priorities they have in 2020.”

During 2019, TORA grew its membership, expanded its market reach and introduced new programs and initiatives. The council is focused on education and seeking to provide its member companies with a program that includes valuable and relevant topics. Current plans for the educational program include focusing on marketing, advanced vehicle technology, social media best practices, business operations and more. TORA is encouraging members to share their thoughts about these topics and their priorities for educational programs in which they are most interested.

Aside from providing educational opportunities, TORA works year-round to serve and engage its members through networking opportunities at special events, council meetings and industry recognition at annual awards ceremonies.

TORA members are encouraged to email TORA Select Committee Chair Erika Marquez at marqueze@warn.com with their responses by January 31. To learn more about the benefits of being a TORA member, email Nathan Ridnouer, SEMA vice president, councils and membership. Not a TORA member? Sign up today!