SC&RA addresses tariffs in letter to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick

Late last week, the Specialized Carriers and Rigging Association (SC&RA) continued its dialog with the U.S. Department of Commerce about the impact of Section 232 Steel Tariffs on the crane and specialized transportation sector.

The Association is requesting an in-person meeting with Department of Commerce officials to discuss:

• A tariff exemption for ultra-high-strength steel in grades S960QL, S1100 and S1300 for which there is very little supply in the United States. This high tensile steel is essential for tower cranes, mobile cranes and their parts.
• A tariff exemption for tower cranes, mobile cranes and parts that are made in the European Union (EU).
• A minimum of 24 months for these exemptions to be in effect to meet the long-term planning cycles required by businesses in critical sectors such as energy, aerospace, defense, communications and AI technology.

According to SC&RA’s October 1 newsletter, tariffs continue to be in the news and on the minds of its member companies as they struggle to plan and take delivery of needed cranes and trucks.

SC&RA is seeking an exemption for ultra high strengh steel used to make cranes and their parts.

“At last week’s SC&RA Crane & Rigging Workshop, Board President Jim Sever, PSC Crane & Rigging, conceded that while negotiations are ongoing and decisions continue to be made in Washington, the reality is that tariffs, at some level, are here to stay,” according to SC&RA. “However, SC&RA strongly opposes a 50 percent tariff on steel and aluminum.”

The Association has been engaged with the Office of the United States Trade Representative, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and the White House on this ongoing issue.

In a letter to Secretary Lutnick specifically addressing steel and aluminum tariffs, SC&RA requested “a modification of the Section 232 steel orders to reduce tariffs for domestically unavailable ultra-high-strength steel and/or for certain cranes, rigging and specialized transportation equipment that have been added as derivative steel products but cannot be produced in the United States to satisfy the demand of critical sectors of our nation’s economy.”

Additionally, SC&RA’s detailed letter articulated that SC&RA members “need time to plan and complete long-term orders to acquire certain cranes, rigging and specialized transportation equipment under established tariff and cost structures to meet customer requirements in critical sectors of national security.”

“As SC&RA leverages its relationships with other trade associations and engages DC trade counsel for lobbying assistance, it will keep members updated through the newsletter, its strategic media partners, and on social media. Members are encouraged to reach out to their representatives to share their company’s challenges with the ongoing tariff situation.

The letter was submitted on behalf of the combined 1,512 members of the Specialized Carriers & Rigging Association, Texas Crane Owners Association (“TCOA”), Florida Crane Owners Association (“FCOA”), Crane Owners Association (“COA”), Northwest Crane Owners Association (“NWCOA”) and Mobile Crane Operators Group (“MCOG”), (hereinafter “SC&RA”).

The letter was signed by Joel M. Dandrea, CEO, Specialized Carriers & Rigging Association; Kenneth Lookingbill, President, Texas Crane Owners Association; Jackson Sims; President, Florida Crane Owners Association; and Michael J. Vlaming, Executive Director, Crane Owners Association, Northwest Crane Owners Association, Mobile Crane Operators Group. 

Read the letter in its entirety below.