Go Slow on Japan Tariffs, Agencies Ask
Representatives of Japanese companies, U.S. businesses that use Japanese parts and even some U.S. police agencies argued today against proposed tariffs of up to 100% on selected Japanese electronics products.
The testimony came as the Reagan Administration began two days of hearings that were to help it narrow a proposed list of $1.7 billion in items targeted for the sanctions to $300 million worth.
More than 80 witnesses had signed up to speak as the hearings began.
Administration officials said there is no chance that imposition of the tariffs will be postponed.
The major remaining issues are how large a tariff and on which products, Chris Parlin, an official of the office of U.S. Trade Representative, told the standing-room-only hearing audience.
A major factor in deciding which items to remove from the list will be “the degree of impact on U.S. consumers of the product,” he said.
Officials of police agencies from California, Illinois and Alaska protested that the targeted list includes Japanese-made fingerprint analyzing equipment and asked for a special exemption.
Equipment on Order
“This could affect $8.5 million in equipment ordered but not yet delivered,” for state and municipal police agencies, said Fred H. Wynbrandt, a representative of California Atty. Gen. John Van de Kamp.
Thomas F. Railsback, a former congressman from Illinois, appeared on behalf of Roybi Ltd., a Japanese power tool manufacturer.
Imposition of the tariffs “could create a severe hardship for the American construction industry,” he said.
Former Oregon Gov. Victor Atiyeh, appearing for Fujitsu Ltd., said many U.S. companies that buy sophisticated Fujitsu computer equipment would be hurt by the sanctions.
Many of these items are unavailable in this country from other suppliers, he said. “U.S. companies should not be injured.”
And so it went, as witness after witness presented his or her case.
U.S. officials said no decisions will be made until after the hearings on which items will be hit by the sanctions.
Japanese trade negotiators, in two days of intensive talks last week, failed to persuade the Administration to call off the sanctions.
