Representatives from Flexible Packaging Association (FPA) member companies on Monday participated in a U.S. Senate committee roundtable discussing the impact recent tariffs have had their businesses.

 

Held in Milwaukee under the Senate’s Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee, the roundtable focused on companies in Wisconsin. However, the stories of Wisconsin-based FPA members echo the impacts felt by members across the country, the FPA said.

 

“We applaud Sen. (Ron) 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,” says Alison Keane, FPA president and CEO.

 

ProAmpac, Bemis Company, Inc., and American Packaging Corporation submitted information to Sen. 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. Sen. Johnson requested that American Packaging Corporation speak directly about the effects on its business at the Roundtable.

 

The FPA has many member companies directly affected by these tariffs, particularly the converters that coat, laminate or print aluminum foil to make flexible packaging. This flexible packaging is used for a variety of purposes, including for food and beverage products, pet food, health and beauty items, and pharmaceuticals. Aluminum foil is also used for medical device packaging to ensure that the products packaged maintain their efficacy at the time of use.

Further information on the roundtable hearing is available on the committee’s website.