Representatives of the outdoor sports industry have been lining up this week to express their opposition to proposed tariffs on Chinese-made goods.
In Washington DC on Monday the United States Trade Representative (USTR) kicked off a week of public hearings on the latest products from China that could face $200 billion in tariffs. The worry for the recreational fishing industry is that these include angling-related products, including kayaks, cast nets, apparel and accessories like plastic rain gear, fishing baskets and creels.
The tariffs are expected to take effect in late September after the public comment period ends on September 5th.
The Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) was represented by Rich Harper, its Manager of International Trade, who noted that the sector generates more than $887 billion in consumer spending and accounts for 7.6 million American jobs. He added its products played a major role in enriching people’s lives by supporting healthy and active lifestyles.
“There is no commercially significant domestic production of many of the outdoor products proposed to receive tariffs. While outdoor companies are actively looking to diversify their sourcing options, China continues to dominate the market with its advantage of infrastructure and skilled workforce.”
He added that the additional tariff will force outdoor companies to either absorb the extra costs or pass it along to the consumer. Raising the tariff to 25% may put some small, medium-sized companies out of business.
“Ultimately, this means outdoor companies will be unable to create new US jobs and in some cases, may be forced to eliminate existing ones. It will force businesses to discontinue popular and profitable products and cease development of new ones that could significantly grow the company and overall outdoor recreation economy.
“It will also put products out of the reach of US consumers who are looking to pursue healthy and active lifestyles in the great outdoors.”