JPMA seeks end to tariffs on products used for care, protection of infants and young children

MOUNT LAUREL, N.J. – The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Assn. said while it is encouraged by moves to cancel tariffs under President Donald Trump’s recently announced Phase One trade deal, it hopes to see an end to all tariffs on products used for the care and protection of infants.

The latest round of tariffs, also called the Tranch 4B tariffs, originally was set to take effect Dec. 15 and would have affected nearly $160 billion in goods. The list included products such as high chairs, infant walkers, bouncer seats, bath seats, swings, play yards and infant nursery monitoring systems.

Trump canceled the implementation of tariffs on these and other items as part of the Phase One deal. This deal calls for China to agree to structural reforms in its economic and trade regime in the areas of intellectual property, technology transfer, agriculture, financial services and currency, and foreign exchange.

It also includes a commitment from China to make additional purchase of U.S. goods and services in the next two years, including agricultural products, in effect exceeding China’s annual level of imports for those goods and services purchased in 2017 by no less than $200 billion.

“JPMA is grateful to all our members who have diligently worked to bring awareness to the burden Tranch 4B Tariffs had the potential to place on U.S. families and that current tariffs are having on parents and caregivers,” said Kelly Mariotti, executive director of JPMA. “Every baby in our nation deserves to be safe, and families should have access to these products at the lowest possible cost. We will continue our efforts as part of Americans for Free Trade until families no longer face the financial challenges created by these tariffs.”

Specifically, the JPMA is seeking an end to 25% tariffs on infant products including cribs and safety gates. The JPMA said these remaining tariffs are in effect taxes on consumers and manufacturers, “making critical baby safety products less affordable and accessible. Since last year, JPMA has called on the USTR (U.S. Trade Representative) to end all tariffs on products used for the care and protection of our most vulnerable citizens, yet high tariffs remain on critical items such as baby cribs and safety gates.”