Doug Jones: Auto Tariffs Threaten Alabama Jobs

WASHINGTON, DC - Alabama Senator Doug Jones today spoke on the Senate floor about the negative impact President Trump's proposed 25-percent auto tariffs would have on Alabama and other leading auto-making states in the U.S. In his remarks, he announced his intention to introduce a bipartisan solution with U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander as early as next week.

Since the tariff proposal was made public, Jones has consistently spoken out against it to protect the tens of thousands of Alabama workers who rely on this industry to support their families. In June, Jones and Alexander sent a letter to U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross to urge him to reconsider the tariff, pointing to the damage it would do to their respective states’ economies.

"I’m old enough to remember what it was like before auto companies came into Alabama during the 1990s, starting with Mercedes," Jones said. "At the time Mercedes came, many of Alabama’s manufacturing facilities were closing down, moving to other countries. But one by one – from Mercedes to Honda to Hyundai and now Toyota and Mazda, who are breaking ground on a new plant very soon –these automakers came to Alabama and breathed new life into our state economy."

Jones added that the past 15 months, every major automobile manufacturer in Alabama announced an expansion, totaling 5,400 jobs and $3.3 billion in investments. "This industry has just been a phenomenal success in Alabama and, more importantly, for the men and women who rely on these very good-paying jobs to support their families and build better lives,"Jones said. "That’s why it’s a priority for me and colleagues like my friend Senator Alexander from Tennessee to keep our states’ automotive industries thriving. But recently, this industry has come under attack."

Jones said he hopes to introduce that proposal as early as next week, after consulting with automotive manufacturers and working with colleagues to grow bipartisan support for the legislation.

"I realize that folks affected by these proposed tariffs are looking for a silver bullet to stop them dead in their tracks," he said. "Right now, the only silver bullet in this case is for the President to change his mind and recognize how many jobs are at risk because of these proposed tariffs."

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