Fanimation CEO urges the lighting industry to speak out against tariffs

ZIONSVILLE, Ind. – Tariffs from imported goods from Mexico and Canada have been put on hold, but a 10% tariff on goods coming into the U.S. from China has been put in place.

Lighting manufacturers, who are more dependent on Chinese-made goods than others in home décor because many essential lighting components are only made in China, had to absorb a 25% tariff in 2017. But many of them, on the surface at least, seemed to take the news in stride in the weeks leading up to the official announcement and noted that since everyone in the industry is likely to be affected, any subsequent price increases would be unilateral.

But in a recent LinkedIn post, Fanimation President and CEO Nathan Frampton suggested ways his lighting colleagues can push back against the tariff on Chinese imports — primarily by contacting representatives in Congress to let them know the tariffs are a burden on the industry. He also heralded the advocacy work of the American Lighting Association.

“… The implementation of an additional 10% tariff on Chinese imports creates immediate and significant challenges for our industry.” Frampton wrote. “The overwhelming majority of lighting and ceiling fan products are sourced from China, and this tariff will undoubtedly lead to increased costs for American businesses and consumers.”

Initially, what is known as the “$800 de minimis loophole,” which previously allowed duty-free imports under $800, was closed. Under the loophole, some Chinese factories were shipping lighting products directly to consumers and avoiding the tariff, according to Frampton.

However, President Trump through an executive order earlier this week temporarily lifted the de minimis trade ban after a backlog of inbound packages from China began to pile up in airports.

Frampton urged people to contact their congressional representatives and the White House to advocate for the elimination of the 10% tariff on Chinese imports, “emphasizing that while fair trade is essential, this specific tariff imposes undue burdens on our industry.”

With the company based in Zionsville, Ind., Frampton said he reached out to his own representatives and was told “they are looking into it.”

He encouraged his lighting peers to share their experiences and concerns with the ALA “to strengthen our collective advocacy efforts.”

“The American Lighting Association (ALA), under the leadership of Laurie Gross, is actively addressing these issues,” Frampton told Home Accents Today. “While we support measures that promote fair trade, it’s crucial to consider the broader impact of such tariffs on our industry.”

Frampton said Gross, interim president and CEO of the ALA, has sent a letter to the Trump Administration and to the ALA membership base outlining the industry’s concerns. “I hope this will drive ALA members to reach out to their elected officials and the Trump Administration,” he said.

See also:

How interior designers are planning for tariffs

Retailers are stocking up in anticipation of growing tariffs