Free trade benefits consumers, worldwide

The home appliance industry is a global one—manufacturers make and sell products—from refrigerators to toasters—across the world. Consumers enjoy choice in brick and mortar or online shops, and that choice is one of the greatest advantages of the technological world we live in. Therefore, 9 home appliance associations, representing an innovative industry on several continents and united by the IRHMA roundtable, are strong believers in the benefits of free trade and hope to de-escalate any existing trade tension.

First and foremost, the result of tariffs is that citizens and consumers lose access to or may experience increased costs for the cutting-edge technology that has enhanced their lives and brought them closer to their loved ones, making them more interconnected over recent decades. At a crucial time for advancing digital capabilities, citizens and governments may have decreased access to the advancements in technology that keep infrastructure and institutions safe against varied threats. Simultaneously, in order to investigate alternative sources for technology and components, manufacturers must divert their resources away from developing innovative products for their customers. Moreover, domestic jobs are at risk.

IRHMA’s home appliance manufacturers support free trade—it has a positive impact on citizens and industry worldwide. Free trade values are industry’s values. At a time when free trade is under increasing threat worldwide, the industry remains a proud bastion of the principles of free and fair trade, and a believer in the benefits these principles confer on citizens, consumers, business and governments alike.

IRHMA stands for "The International Roundtable of Household Appliance Manufacturer Associations".
The Roundtable brings together representatives of home appliance sector from across the globe.

Association of European Businesses (AEB - Russia)
Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM - United States of America and Canada)
Asociación Nacional de Fabricantes de Aparatos Domésticos A.C. (ANFAD - Mexico)
APPLiA, Home Appliance Europe (APPLiA)
Consumer Electronics Suppliers Association (CESA - Australia)
China Household Electrical Appliances Association (CHEAA - China)
Japanese Electrical Manufacturers' Association (JEMA - Japan)
Korea Electronics Association (KEA - Korea)
South African Domestic Appliance Association (SADA – South Africa)