Washington -- U.S. Representative Barbara Cubin (R-WY) introduced legislation today to suspend a trade tax that could unfairly hit a Wyoming manufacturer and jeopardize jobs in Uinta County.  

Cubin introduced H.R. 4983 and H.R. 4984, both known as temporary duty suspension bills. The bills would lift an import tax on products needed by Carbon Fiber Technology LLC to broaden their product line and expand their business. Under current trade law, the Evanston-based company would be charged a 7.5 percent tax on materials they import to make their carbon fiber. Cubin’s bills would suspend the tax for the next five years.

“Carbon Fiber Technologies has been a bedrock of the Evanston community for more than a decade now and their success is critical to southwest Wyoming,” Cubin said. “Lifting this unfair trade tax will not only grant job security to current employees, but encourage further expansion of this booming Wyoming business.”

Carbon Fiber Technology is seeking to import a new acrylic fiber tow, a raw material used to manufacture carbon fiber, which is then used to make golf club shafts and various other products. This new, more cost-effective product will partially replace the old acrylic fiber material the company previously used to make carbon fiber.

While imports of carbon fiber have been tax free since 1999, U.S. companies like Carbon Fiber Technology must pay import taxes on the raw material needed to manufacture carbon fiber here at home. By lifting this tax Cubin’s bill would allow the Wyoming based company to compete fairly with importers of carbon fiber. 

Currently Carbon Fiber Technology employs 50 individuals in Wyoming. Successful use of these new products, however, could allow Carbon Fiber Technology to undergo an expansion and potentially add new jobs in Uinta County. Without Cubin’s bill the company stands to lose a substantial sum to the import tax, putting the company’s future plans on hold. 

“As Wyoming’s energy based economy continues to diversify, it is critical that our small businesses have an even playing field to compete on the global stage,” Cubin said. “Without this burdensome trade tax, I am confident that Carbon Fiber Technology will continue to thrive and provide jobs in Uinta County.”

Cubin was successful in lifting the import tax on two similar products in 2007. She has introduced similar legislation in past Congresses to aid small businesses and allow Wyoming to compete in international markets.