By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The United States and China have embarked on a trade war following a breakdown in negotiations. The 10% tariffs imposed last September on $200 billion worth of Chinese imports rose to 25% on May 10. However, the tariff hikes will not take effect until June 1 for products shipped before the May 10 deadline but still in transit to the United States.

The so-called “List 3” group of Chinese imports includes many auto parts, from engines and metal fasteners to tires, steering wheel components, rubber gaskets, transmission belts, brake pads, windshields and suspension springs. The Trump Administration had already imposed 25% tariffs on $50 billion worth of Chinese imports in July and August 2018. “List 1” and “List 2” goods include some miscellaneous metal and rubber parts for auto equipment, machinery, tools and measurement devices.

China had already imposed retaliatory tariffs in the amount of 5% and 10% on $60 billion worth of U.S. goods. Most of these levies will increase to 10%, 20% and 25% and include many agricultural products. The tariffs will stay at 5% for a few categories including vehicle parts.

U.S./Chinese negotiations continue despite the tariff wars, with the June 1 effective date allowing a little hope for a truce. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are scheduled to meet at the G20 summit on June 28–29.

The trade talks were reportedly nearing completion until a disagreement on how to end the practice of forced technology transfers whereby U.S. companies are coerced into sharing technology trade secrets with their Chinese business partners. There is also a dispute on how to enforce the agreement, with the U.S. wanting to keep some tariffs in place for at least six months while compliance is demonstrated.

U.S. and Chinese officials are reportedly drafting six separate agreements covering agriculture, services, non-tariff barriers, currency, intellectual property rights and forced technology transfers and cybersecurity. If talks break down further, President Trump has threatened to impose 25% tariffs on the remaining $325 billion worth of “List 4” Chinese products as soon as the end of June. Public comments on the List 4 tariffs are due June 17.

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

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Legislation (H.B. 31) that would ease the process for registering a street rod in Delaware passed the legislature and now moves to Governor John Carney for approval.

Legislation (H.B. 31) that would ease the process for registering a street rod in Delaware passed the legislature and now moves to Governor John Carney for approval.

If passed, H.B. 31 would change the definition of a street rod from a vehicle manufactured before ’70 to a vehicle 25 years old or older. The bill also removes the requirement that a street rod’s tires be covered by fenders.

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website.

For details, contact Christian Robinson at stateleg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Legislation (H.B. 31) that would ease the process for registering a street rod in Delaware passed the legislature and now moves to Governor John Carney for approval.

Legislation (H.B. 31) that would ease the process for registering a street rod in Delaware passed the legislature and now moves to Governor John Carney for approval.

If passed, H.B. 31 would change the definition of a street rod from a vehicle manufactured before ’70 to a vehicle 25 years old or older. The bill also removes the requirement that a street rod’s tires be covered by fenders.

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website.

For details, contact Christian Robinson at stateleg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Legislation (H.B. 31) that would ease the process for registering a street rod in Delaware passed the legislature and now moves to Governor John Carney for approval.

Legislation (H.B. 31) that would ease the process for registering a street rod in Delaware passed the legislature and now moves to Governor John Carney for approval.

If passed, H.B. 31 would change the definition of a street rod from a vehicle manufactured before ’70 to a vehicle 25 years old or older. The bill also removes the requirement that a street rod’s tires be covered by fenders.

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website.

For details, contact Christian Robinson at stateleg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Legislation (H.B. 31) that would ease the process for registering a street rod in Delaware passed the legislature and now moves to Governor John Carney for approval.

Legislation (H.B. 31) that would ease the process for registering a street rod in Delaware passed the legislature and now moves to Governor John Carney for approval.

If passed, H.B. 31 would change the definition of a street rod from a vehicle manufactured before ’70 to a vehicle 25 years old or older. The bill also removes the requirement that a street rod’s tires be covered by fenders.

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website.

For details, contact Christian Robinson at stateleg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Maine Governor Janet Mills signed into law legislation (S.P. 86/L.D. 274) to allow the sale of ethanol-free gasoline statewide.

Maine Governor Janet Mills signed into law legislation (S.P. 86/L.D. 274) to allow the sale of ethanol-free gasoline statewide. Previously, only the counties of York, Sagadahoc, Androscoggin, Kennebec, Knox and Lincoln banned the sale of ethanol-free gasoline. The bill will go into effect in 2020.

Unfortunately, Governor Mills vetoed legislation (L.D. 822/H.P. 596) to prohibit the sale of motor fuel with greater than 10% ethanol. In her veto message, the governor noted that gasoline containing 15% ethanol is not currently available for sale in Maine.

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website.

For details, contact Christian Robinson at stateleg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Maine Governor Janet Mills signed into law legislation (S.P. 86/L.D. 274) to allow the sale of ethanol-free gasoline statewide.

Maine Governor Janet Mills signed into law legislation (S.P. 86/L.D. 274) to allow the sale of ethanol-free gasoline statewide. Previously, only the counties of York, Sagadahoc, Androscoggin, Kennebec, Knox and Lincoln banned the sale of ethanol-free gasoline. The bill will go into effect in 2020.

Unfortunately, Governor Mills vetoed legislation (L.D. 822/H.P. 596) to prohibit the sale of motor fuel with greater than 10% ethanol. In her veto message, the governor noted that gasoline containing 15% ethanol is not currently available for sale in Maine.

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website.

For details, contact Christian Robinson at stateleg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Maine Governor Janet Mills signed into law legislation (S.P. 86/L.D. 274) to allow the sale of ethanol-free gasoline statewide.

Maine Governor Janet Mills signed into law legislation (S.P. 86/L.D. 274) to allow the sale of ethanol-free gasoline statewide. Previously, only the counties of York, Sagadahoc, Androscoggin, Kennebec, Knox and Lincoln banned the sale of ethanol-free gasoline. The bill will go into effect in 2020.

Unfortunately, Governor Mills vetoed legislation (L.D. 822/H.P. 596) to prohibit the sale of motor fuel with greater than 10% ethanol. In her veto message, the governor noted that gasoline containing 15% ethanol is not currently available for sale in Maine.

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website.

For details, contact Christian Robinson at stateleg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Maine Governor Janet Mills signed into law legislation (S.P. 86/L.D. 274) to allow the sale of ethanol-free gasoline statewide.

Maine Governor Janet Mills signed into law legislation (S.P. 86/L.D. 274) to allow the sale of ethanol-free gasoline statewide. Previously, only the counties of York, Sagadahoc, Androscoggin, Kennebec, Knox and Lincoln banned the sale of ethanol-free gasoline. The bill will go into effect in 2020.

Unfortunately, Governor Mills vetoed legislation (L.D. 822/H.P. 596) to prohibit the sale of motor fuel with greater than 10% ethanol. In her veto message, the governor noted that gasoline containing 15% ethanol is not currently available for sale in Maine.

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website.

For details, contact Christian Robinson at stateleg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

Several bills introduced in Iowa in 2019 failed to pass both chambers of the legislature prior to the adjournment of the session.

Several bills introduced in Iowa in 2019 failed to pass both chambers of the legislature prior to the adjournment of the session:

• Legislation (S.F. 193) allowing all vehicles to display a single license plate on the rear of the vehicle. The bill failed to be considered by the Senate Transportation Committee.
• Legislation (S.F. 227) allowing all vehicles 25 years old or older to display a single license plate on the rear of the vehicle. An amended version of the bill was passed by the Senate but failed to be approved by the House of Representatives.
• Legislation (S.F. 271) allowing for window tinting if it meets a minimum standard of 35% light transmittance. The bill failed to be considered by the Senate Ways and Means Committee.

By rule, these bills are eligible to be reconsidered during next year’s legislative session.

For more information, visit the SEMA Action Network (SAN) website.

For details, contact Christian Robinson at stateleg@sema.org.