NRF Statement on Administration’s Tariff Deferral Announcement
WASHINGTON, April 20, 2020 — The National Retail Federation today issued the following statement from President and CEO Matthew Shay on the Trump Administration’s announcement to delay the collection of import duties amid COVID-19 pandemic:
“The White House announcement
that the government is providing a limited duty deferral for importers is
welcome news to retailers struggling to find any good news during this
extremely difficult time. We encourage the administration to broaden these
deferrals for additional relief. Retailers don’t build stores, buy products and
hire associates only to close their doors for weeks at a time. The challenges
to the retail industry brought on by this pandemic are severely acute, at best.
This deferral provides some retailers with additional liquidity and better cash
flow, giving hope for business continuity and a faster recovery once the
pandemic has passed.”About NRF
The National Retail Federation, the world’s largest
retail trade association, passionately advocates for the people, brands,
policies and ideas that help retail thrive. From its headquarters in
Washington, D.C., NRF empowers the industry that powers the economy. Retail is
the nation’s largest private-sector employer, contributing $3.9 trillion to
annual GDP and supporting one in four U.S. jobs — 52 million working Americans.
For over a century, NRF has been a voice for every retailer and every retail
job, educating, inspiring and communicating the powerful impact retail has on
local communities and global economies.