SC&RA Presses for Tariff Relief at Hearing

(May 14, 2026) - Last week, SC&RA member Mike Appling, CEO of LiftHigh Cranes & Rigging, testified on behalf the Association at a hearing at the U.S. International Trade Commission. The hearing, Initiation of Section 301 Investigations of Acts, Policies, and Practices of Certain Economies Relating to Structural Excess Capacity and Production in Manufacturing Sectors, concerns tariff relief. Appling shared the impact of tariffs on small businesses with the Committee Members. In addition, Appling shared SC&RA’s requests: Zero rate under Section 301 for EU, Canadian and Japanese cranes, trailers, and parts; Proportionate tariff rates on Chinese products; Zero rate tariff treatment for ultra-high-strength steel grades (S960QL, S1100, S1300) imported from the EU and Japan, which are not produced domestically in sufficient quantities and are essential inputs for domestic crane and trailer manufacturers; No stacking of Section 232 and Section 301 tariffs for European, Canadian and Japanese products; A 24-month phase-in period for any Section 301 tariffs imposed on European, Canadian or Japanese cranes and trailers, with a grace period for merchandise already in transit or under contract; and a tariff-rate quota to ensure the availability of a sufficient historical volume of fairly traded EU, Canadian and Japanese imports, protecting the domestic market from an influx of lower-quality Chinese products. Joel Dandrea, SC&RA CEO, attended the four-day hearing. “We do not expect an answer to our requests before July,” Dandrea explained. “However, we will continue to execute our strategies to support tariff relief for our members to the U.S. Department of Commerce and on the Hill with members of Congress.” To read the testimony, click here.