Gov. Kay Ivey this afternoon released a statement against import tariffs the Trump Administration is reportedly considering, saying she believes they would harm Alabama's manufacturers, their suppliers and the livelihoods of Alabama's workers.
"Import tariffs, and any retaliatory tariffs on American made goods, will harm Alabama, the companies that have invested billions of dollars in our state, and the thousands of households which are dependent upon those companies for a good-paying job," Ivey said in a statement released by her office. "I strongly oppose any efforts that may harm those companies that employ thousands of Alabamians and contribute billions to our economy.
"I am committed to protecting Alabama jobs and consumers, the world over, who are proud to purchase products made in Alabama," Ivey said.
These were the first comments Ivey has released publicly in response to tariffs the Trump Administration has imposed on imported steel and aluminum, and an investigation Trump ordered into whether foreign produced vehicles and auto parts are a "national security threat."
Both of Alabama's senators, Richard Shelby and Doug Jones, have released statements opposing the tariffs, saying auto levies would "hurt Alabama, plain and simple."
In speaking on the tariffs, Ivey mentioned Alabama's five automotive manufacturers and more than 200 supporting suppliers, which she said "have helped establish 'Made in Alabama' as an internationally-respected brand."
The past 15 months has seen expansions announced at all of Alabama's auto manufacturers - Honda, Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz - and the announcement of the $1.6 billion Mazda Toyota plant in Huntsville, as well as the opening of Birmingham's $120 million Autocar truck plant.
In addition, Alabama exported $21.7 billion in goods internationally last year, with $10.9 billion made up of auto exports.
Ivey said "this growth could be stymied if tariffs are imposed on the goods we export around the world." She warned that Alabama's largest markets would be affected by tariffs, and would probably respond with some of their own.
"The largest importers of Alabama made goods and services were Canada, China, Germany, Mexico and Japan – all countries which may be forced to reciprocate in response to any new import tariffs," she said.
In fact, once Canada, Mexico and the European Union became subject to a 25 percent tariff on steel and a 10 percent tariff on aluminum earlier this year, they retaliated with tariffs on U.S. goods across a wide spectrum of products.