Energy Workforce & Technology Council (EWTC) continues to advocate for policies that strengthen U.S. manufacturing while protecting the energy supply chains that are essential to American energy dominance.
Earlier this year, EWTC President Tim Tarpley testified before the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) regarding the potential impacts of Section 301 tariffs on the oilfield services (OFS) sector and the broader U.S. energy industry. Building on that testimony, Tarpley returned to Washington this week to testify at two additional USTR hearings: one addressing proposed Section 301 actions related to goods produced with forced labor, and another concerning the ongoing Section 301 investigation of Brazil.
At both hearings, Tarpley emphasized that EWTC and its member companies remain committed to expanding domestic energy production, strengthening resilient supply chains, and reshoring manufacturing wherever commercially and technically feasible. At the same time, he urged USTR to ensure that any new trade remedies do not unintentionally undermine U.S. energy production by increasing the cost or limiting the availability of critical equipment and components that currently cannot be sourced domestically.
At the forced labor hearing, Tarpley thanked USTR for the proposed rule of not stacking 301 tariffs on top of the existing 232 tariffs. This is critical to energy production as most products are made of steel and aluminum. Tarpley also expressed that the exclusions in Annex A are helpful, but need to be expanded to include energy products as well. Lastly, Tarpley stated that EWTC supports the exclusion of USMCA-qualifying good from the new 301 duties as Mexico and Canada are critical partners in the North American supply chain.
In addition, EWTC urged USTR to:
- Ensure any new Section 301 tariffs do not stack with other existing Section 301 duties.
- Continue allowing new Section 301 duties to qualify for duty drawback.
- Exempt products that cannot be readily manufactured in the U.S. until sufficient domestic production capacity exists.
At the Brazil hearing, Tarpley expressed concern about any potential remedies that could penalize U.S. energy service manufacturers for supply gaps that cannot yet be filled domestically. He highlighted Brazil’s role as a supplier of specialized energy equipment, particularly for offshore operations, where comparable manufacturing capabilities are not currently available elsewhere.
As USTR evaluates potential actions under Section 301, EWTC respectfully recommends that any remedies account for the need for certain critical energy components to maintain U.S. energy dominance and ensure that any remedies as part of this investigation with Brazil account for this need.
EWTC emphasized that maintaining reliable access to these specialized products is essential to supporting U.S. energy production, offshore development, and the nation’s long-term energy security. EWTC encouraged USTR to support domestic manufacturing goals without disrupting critical energy supply chains or reducing the competitiveness of U.S. energy producers.
EWTC appreciates the opportunity to participate in both Section 301 investigations and will continue working with USTR and other federal policymakers to ensure trade policies strengthen American manufacturing while preserving the supply chains necessary to maintain U.S. energy leadership.
About Energy Workforce & Technology Council
Energy Workforce & Technology Council is the national trade association for the global energy technology and services sector, representing more than 650,000 U.S. jobs in the technology-driven energy value chain. Energy Workforce works to advance member policy priorities and empower the energy workforce of the future.
