U.S. Representative Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.) Tuesday applauded a partnership between the U.S. Department of Commerce and the RV Industry Association (RVIA) to help RV manufacturers boost exports to international markets. RVIA was awarded a grant and technical assistance through the International Trade Administration’s (ITA) Market Development Cooperator Program (MDCP) to reduce trade barriers and regulatory hurdles in order to expand exports of American-made RVs to China, South Korea, and Japan.
“This Market Development Cooperator Program award is an investment that can deliver major results for our local manufacturers and create jobs for Hoosiers,” Congresswoman Walorski said. “It will allow RVIA to continue its work to ensure American RV manufacturers are not locked out of foreign markets due to regulatory restrictions or unfair trade practices. About 85 percent of the nation’s RVs are built in northern Indiana, and boosting exports of these made-in-America products will further drive economic growth in our communities. I’m grateful for the Trump administration’s commitment to strengthening this all-American industry, and I couldn’t be more excited for this opportunity to take northern Indiana’s leadership in RV manufacturing to the next level.”
“We are thrilled to continue our long-standing partnership with ITA to work together to prevent standards and other trade barriers from locking U.S. RV products out of foreign markets,” said Craig Kirby, RV Industry Association President. “During this third MDCP award, we will continue to build on our significant progress towards a more open and reasonable regulatory environment for U.S. RV exports.”
BACKGROUND
Walorski has long supported MDCP, a critical trade promotion program with a proven track record of opening new markets for U.S. manufacturers and increasing exports of American-made products. In a letter earlier this year to the chairman and ranking member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies, Walorski urged the Appropriations Committee to fully fund MDCP.
A signed copy of Walorski’s letter is available here.
MDCP awards support projects that help U.S. companies to compete in international markets through partnerships between ITA and non-profit industry groups. According to ITA, on average from 1997 through 2019, MDCP projects generated $359 in exports for every $1 of MDCP awards made. This is the highest return of any federal export development program.
The $300,000 grant and partnership with ITA for the period 2021 through 2023 will support RVIA’s ongoing efforts to increase exports to China, South Korea, and Japan. This is the third MDCP award for RVIA. Under two earlier MDCP awards, RVIA has worked to ensure American RV exports are not locked out of international markets due to regulatory restrictions or unfair trade practices.
Walorski represents the 2nd Congressional District of Indiana, serving as a member of the House Ways and Means Committee.
