October 1969

In reaction to recent dramatic increase of piano import, Henry Z. Steinway initiates the attempt by the National Piano Manufacturers Association to persuade President Nixon to reinstate the 40% percent piano import tariff of the 1930. Henry Z. Steinway delivers a 5-days-long testimony before the Tariff Commission. In the end, President Nixon decides to keep the 13.5% piano import tariff for the next three years. Unfortunately, grand pianos are not included in the tariff, so even though it diminishes the import of Yamaha upright pianos, the number of grand pianos imported from Japan continues to increase – and it’s in grand piano market that Steinway & Sons and Yamaha are now competing head to head.