Mary Kay Continues Advocacy Efforts to End Mexico Trade Dispute
Mary Kay subject to $6 million in unnecessary tariffs
Dallas, March 29, 2010 – The elimination of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Cross Border Trucking Pilot Program with Mexico violated trade obligations and instituted retaliatory tariffs on $2.4 billion worth of U.S. manufactured and agricultural exports. One year later, Mary Kay and the Alliance to Save U.S. Jobs continue to urge the Obama Administration and Congress to come to a resolution.
A variety of Mary Kay skin care and color cosmetics products are subject to the additional duty resulting in approximately $450,000 per month – nearly $6 million in unnecessary tariffs to date. Mary Kay products are sold in more than 35 countries by more than 2 million independent sales force members worldwide. The company relies on and supports free trade and open borders to manufacture, supply, distribute and market its products and provide the Mary Kay business opportunity to women around the world. Each week, three truckloads of Mary Kay products travel from the Mary Kay manufacturing facility in Dallas to Mary Kay Mexico in Monterrey.
“Mexico is one of Mary Kay’s largest and most successful subsidiaries. We are committed to our consumers and continuing to provide the amazing Mary Kay business opportunity to the women of Mexico,” said Mary Kay Vice President of Government Relations Anne Crews. “In an already weakened economic climate, it’s unfortunate and surprising that these retaliatory tariffs have been in place now for more than a year. We need a resolution.”
According to data from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the retaliatory tariffs will cost an estimated 25,000 American jobs. For more information on the Alliance, its members and how you can get involved, please visit the website at www.keepusjobs.org.
About Mary Kay
Mary Kay is one of the largest direct sellers of skin care and color cosmetics. In 2008 Mary Kay Inc. and its international subsidiaries achieved $2.6 billion in wholesale sales worldwide. Mary Kay® products are sold in more than 35 markets worldwide, and the global Mary Kay independent sales force exceeds 2 million. To learn more about Mary Kay, log on to www.marykay.com or call 1-800-MARY KAY (1-800-627-9529).