NAMM Policy Priorities

Public Policy for NAMM Members

NAMM serves its members by tracking, engaging and educating on matters of public policy, based on three priorities: Business Compliance, Music Education Advocacy and Workforce Development. We represent the interests of the music products industry through virtual and in-person advocacy campaigns, such as the NAMM Music Education D.C. Fly-In. Members are invited to participate in trade, sustainability and music education advocacy working groups, as well as in educational webinars and advocacy efforts. Contact us for more information.

Featured Article

Tariffs Explained

August 31, 2026 NAMM Submits Formal Comments Opposing Inclusion of Brass-Wind Instruments in Section 232 Tariffs The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) submitted formal comments to the Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), opposing a proposal to add brass-wind musical instruments and their parts and accessories to the list of aluminum, steel and copper derivative articles subject to Section 232 tariffs (Federal Register Docket No. 260803-0182). If included, this proceeding could result in an additional 25% duty on imports classified under HTSUS 9205.10.0040 and 9205.10.0080. NAMM asked BIS to exclude brass-wind instruments, parts and accessories from the Section 232 remedies, arguing that copper metal content is only one of five factors BIS must weigh, and that the other factors cut decisively against inclusion. NAMM noted it is unaware of any defense, dual-use or strategic-stockpile application for brass-wind instruments, and that no prior national security determination has treated musical instruments this way. The five factors BIS must weigh in this Section 232 determination are: Metal content of the products — whether the

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Read NAMM's Most Recent Articles on Issues that Impact Your Business

New Tariffs, New Legal Ground

On July 24, 2026 — the very day a sweeping new set of Section 301 forced-labor tariffs took effect — NAMM convened its recurring expert panel to walk members through what changed overnight, what it means for the music products industry and what actions can be taken. As always, the discussion was for educational purposes only. Joining the conversation were: Chris Cushing, Managing Partner, Washington, D.C. office of Nelson Mullins (NAMM's outside trade counsel of 20 years) Cullen Hendrix, Senior Fellow, Peterson Institute for International Economics Dan Anthony, President, T

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NAMM Files Two Formal Comments With U.S. Trade Representative Seeking Tariff Rel…

July 6, 2026 The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM), the leading nonprofit trade association for the global music products industry, this week filed two formal written comments with the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), continuing the association’s sustained advocacy for tariff relief on behalf of music makers, music retailers, American instrument manufacturers and school music programs nationwide. The filings, submitted in response to Federal Register notices published by USTR, address two separate federal trade proceedings and build on the deta

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group of people meeting with congressman Thompson of PA

NAMM Joins NAfME Hill Day to Advance Federal Funding for Music Education

Photo: NAfME and NAMM delegation met with Congressman Glenn 'GT' Thompson (center), senior member of the House Education & Labor Committee June 26, 2026 On June 24, 2026, NAMM Associate Director of Public Policy Claire Kreger-Boaz joined more than 300 music educators, partners and college students in Washington, D.C., for the National Association for Music Education's (NAfME) annual Hill Day — one month after NAMM’s Advocacy D.C. Fly-In. The back-to-back collaboration between the music products industry and music educators creates some of the most visible days of advocacy on C

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20 Years of Showing Up: NAMM Brings the Music Products Industry to Capitol Hill

May 22, 2026 For five days in May, the music products industry made Washington, D.C., its home — and Capitol Hill its stage. This year’s NAMM Advocacy D.C. Fly-In marked the 20th anniversary of the event, as 100 member delegates and partners from 74 companies representing all 50 states came to Capitol Hill with two goals: ask Congress to protect federal funding for music education and request tariff exemptions for musical instruments, along with the components and raw materials used to make them. What unfolded was a demonstration of what organized, passionate, industry-wide advoca

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NAMM Joins Stand Up 4 Arts Education Advocacy Day at the California State Capito…

April 29, 2026 On April 29, NAMM joined music educators, students and arts advocates from across California for the annual Stand Up 4 Arts Education (SU4AE) Advocacy Day at the State Capitol’s West Steps — and the NAMM team brought some of the music industry’s most passionate voices with them. NAMM Associate Director of Public Policy Claire Kreger-Boaz represented the association alongside a delegation of NAMM members who came to Sacramento ready to advocate: Natalie Morrison and Jeff Queen of Yamaha, Scott Mandeville of Tim’s Music, and Justin Emord, professional bass player and

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CITES Conference of the Parties (CoP)20 Update: New Requirements for Pernambuco …

Significant changes to international trade requirements for pernambuco (Paubrasilia echinata) were adopted at the 20th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES CoP20), held in November and December 2025. NAMM actively participated in negotiations at CoP20 and sponsored a side event for delegates, ensuring the music products industry's perspective was represented throughout the process. What Changed Pernambuco has been listed under CITES Appendix II since September 13, 2007. At CoP20, Part

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