China is the fourth trading partner to add U.S.-built boats to its retaliatory tariff list. The country recently announced tariffs worth $60 billion on U.S. exports, including boats. The tariffs range from 5 to 20 percent. Canada, Mexico, the European Union and now China are targeting the U.S. boating industry.
On Tuesday, the Trump Administration announced the final list of Chinese-imported products that would attract a 25 percent tariff starting Aug. 23. The list includes multiple marine-related products. The administration has excluded floating docks.
“China’s tariffs are unfortunate, but given the trade war’s rapid escalation in recent months they certainly don’t come as a surprise,” Nicole Vasilaros, senior vice president of government relations and legal affairs for the National Marine Manufacturers Association, said in a statement. “This is exactly why we oppose the trade war — they only result in tit-for-tat tariffs, with each side consistently trying to outdo the other. We urge the President to use the recent agreement with the European Union as a model and work with our allies to negotiate trade agreements that work for all of us.”
The Trump Administration has extended the deadline for submitting comments and requests to testify about the impacts of the tariffs on U.S. businesses. The written comment period closes Sept. 5; the due date for requests to appear at the public hearing is Aug. 13. Marine businesses can file comments or request to testify here.
