FPA Members Participate in Hearing on Tariff Impacts

Representatives from Flexible Packaging Association (FPA) member companies took part in a United States Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee Roundtable Hearing entitled, “Examining the Effect of Tariffs on Wisconsin Businesses.” This event, which was held on July 16 in Milwaukee, highlighted the significant impact of the Administration’s tariffs. While this event focused on companies in Wisconsin, the stories of FPA member companies in Wisconsin echo the impacts of the association's member companies across the country.

Alison Keane, president and CEO of FPA stated, “We applaud Senator Johnson’s continued efforts as Chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee to focus on the consequences of the Administration’s trade policies, particularly the tariffs on aluminum and steel and the negative effects they are having on manufacturers of flexible packaging, our suppliers, and across the broader U.S. economy.”

ProAmpac, Bemis Company, Inc., and American Packaging Corporation have submitted information to Senator Johnson on the negative impacts of these tariffs, particularly with regard to aluminum foil, including substantially higher prices, both foreign and domestic, lower quantities available, and job loss due to production moving out of the U.S. and foreign suppliers cost advantage. Senator Johnson requested that American Packaging Corporation speak directly about the effects on its business at the Roundtable.

FPA has many member companies directly affected by these tariffs. U.S. end-users of the aluminum foil that is covered by these tariffs are “converters,” which coat, laminate, or print aluminum foil to make flexible packaging. This flexible packaging is then used for a variety of purposes, including everyday food and beverage products such as candies and chips; yogurt; and pouch drinks, as well as health and beauty items and pharmaceuticals. Aluminum foil is also used by the flexible packaging industry for medical device packaging to ensure that the products packaged, such as absorbable sutures, human tissue, and artificial joints, maintain their efficacy at the time of use. Even pet food and treats use this substrate to deliver fresh and healthy meals to a variety of animals.

Further information on the roundtable hearing is available on the Committee’s website at https://www.hsgac.senate.gov.

Source: Flexible Packaging Association.

The preceding press release was provided by a company unaffiliated with packagePRINTING. The views expressed within do not directly reflect the thoughts or opinions of the staff of packagePRINTING.