U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy announced on April 16 that a new 25 percent tariff will be imposed on imported rail tank cars, a move he said will help save 350 jobs at the Union Tank Car Company’s facility in Alexandria, Louisiana. The measure follows efforts by Cassidy to include rail tank cars in the Section 232 tariff list and aims to prevent foreign manufacturers from undercutting domestic prices.
The decision is significant for both Louisiana workers and U.S. manufacturing, as it seeks to preserve the last remaining plant producing these railcars in the country. Cassidy said, “This is a win for Louisiana and for our country. We’re keeping 350 Louisiana jobs here at home while making sure America is still building the equipment we depend upon.”
Randy McDougal, General Manager of UTLX Manufacturing, commented on the development: “The decision to include tank cars under Section 232 underscores the strategic importance of domestic tank car manufacturing and sustaining a skilled workforce in Louisiana. We appreciated Senator Cassidy’s visit to our Alexandria facility and value the strong partnership with his office and the White House. These policies help ensure that critical infrastructure, like tank cars, continues to be manufactured in America.”
According to the official website, Cassidy serves as chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee and sits on several other committees including Finance; Energy and Natural Resources; and Veterans Affairs. He has also co-founded initiatives such as the Greater Baton Rouge Community Clinic to deliver free health care services.
U.S. production of tank cars has dropped over two decades from nearly all domestic market share down to about one-third as production shifted abroad—mainly Mexico—according to information provided by Cassidy’s office.
Looking ahead, supporters say these tariffs are intended not only to support local employment but also reinforce American industrial capacity for critical infrastructure needs.
