This week the Government of Canada released its list of U.S. products that will be subject to retaliatory tariffs beginning Sept. 8. The tariff rates range from 15% to 50% and cover $27.6 billion in imports from the U.S. The Canadian countermeasures come as a result of the Trump administration’s new 50% tariff on certain imports from Canada. 

Clay Crabtree, NMMA interim vice president of public policy & government affairs, and Patrick Pereira, NMMA Canada senior manager, Government Relations, told Trade Only Today: 

“Canada’s September 8 counter-tariff list does not currently include finished recreational boats, which is welcome news for our industry. However, the broader escalation in the Canada–U.S. trade relationship is creating real uncertainty for marine manufacturers, dealers and suppliers on both sides of the border. 

“The recreational boating industry operates through a highly integrated North American supply chain, and the impact extends beyond finished boats. Canada’s countermeasures include products such as U.S.-origin recreational boat trailers and a range of manufacturing inputs and components, while the new U.S. Section 338 tariffs also capture certain Canadian marine products, including floating docks, certain vessels and electronics.

“NMMA and NMMA Canada are continuing to review the tariff schedules closely and engage with officials in both countries.  
 
“Our message remains consistent: recreational marine manufacturing benefits from predictable, open cross-border trade, and we are urging both governments to pursue targeted solutions that avoid unnecessary costs and disruption for manufacturers, dealers and consumers.” 

In addition, a statement by the NMMA this week answered questions on how the tariffs impact the recreational marine industry: 

Are other recreational marine products impacted by Canada’s counter tariffs?

“Yes, certain parts, equipment, and products are subject to the tariffs. Manufacturers can search the products and HTS codes here.”

In the NMMA statement, the following categories are identified as “specially designed for use on boats”:

  •  Recreational boat, utility, snowmobile trailers (under the HTS code 8716.39.90) – 25%
  • Non-portable stoves or ranges, including those specially designed for use on boats – 25%
  •  Cooking chambers for non-portable stoves/ranges, including those specially designed for use on boats – 25%
  • Top surface panels for those stoves/ranges – 25%
  • Door assemblies for those stoves/ranges – 25%
  • Oven pilot burners, top burners, oven burners, and lighter cones for those stoves/ranges – 25%
  • Other parts for those stoves/ranges – 25%
  • Certain iron or steel articles used in the manufacture or repair of engines or engine parts for commercial fishing vessels – 50%

Additional areas that could be impacted due to the broad nature of the HTS codes include:

  • Aluminum and fabricated aluminum, steel and fabricated metal, marine electronics and electrical systems, marine hardware and pumps, seating and furniture, lighting, refrigeration and onboard appliances, and manufacturing tooling.

U.S. Manufacturers: For more information, contact NMMA’s Clay Crabtree, interim vice president of public policy & government affairs, at ccrabtree@nmma.org.

Canadian Manufacturers: For more information, contact NMMA Canada’s senior manager of government relations, Patrick Pereira, at ppereira@nmma.org.