160 trade associations send urgent tariffs request to the president

Despite pleading by numerous outdoor businesses, the Trump administration has imposed even more tariff increases with some starting as early as Sunday. It’s “the worst possible time,” according to a group of 160 trade associations who sent a letter to the president on Wednesday.

The updates are becoming hard to keep up with. A 10 percent tariff on $300 billion worth of products from China will rise to 15 percent on Sept. 1. and Dec. 15. And a 25 percent tariff on $250 billion worth of products from China will increase to 30 percent on Oct. 1. These are on top of tariffs that products already faced.

The hikes are Trump’s response to China imposing tariffs on $75 billion worth of U.S. exports.

Some of the outdoor products impacted by the new duties include:

• Backpacks
• Sports bags
• Kayaks
• Camp chairs
• Camp stoves
• Leather ski gloves
• Bikes

Letter about tariffs from the Americans for Free Trade Coalition

Dear Mr. President,

On behalf of the Americans for Free Trade Coalition, we are writing with an urgent request that you postpone all tariff rate increases on Chinese goods that are scheduled to take effect this year. These tariff rate increases–some starting as early as Sunday–come at the worst possible time, right in the middle of the busy holiday shipping period. Action is needed by you to protect American businesses, workers, and consumers this holiday season.

Our coalition represents every part of the U.S. economy including manufacturers, farmers and agribusinesses, retailers, technology companies, service suppliers, natural gas and oil companies, importers, exporters, and other supply chain stakeholders. Collectively, we support tens of millions of American jobs through our vast supply chains.

In remarks earlier this month, you recognized that delaying some tariffs would avoid hurting American consumers over the holidays. Unfortunately, a large portion of holiday merchandise will still be hit by September and October tariff increases at an even higher rate than was initially anticipated. With some products facing tariffs as high as 30 percent, many businesses will have no choice but to pass along those costs to consumers. Price increases will likely hit shoppers just as they are making their holiday purchases.

Furthermore, because many of our industrial inputs are still sourced in China, these new tariffs will act as a tax on U.S. manufacturers and U.S. farmers, whose costs will now increase. And because these tariffs were announced with little warning, it is impossible for U.S. importers to share the burden with supply chain partners in China or shift their production to other countries. The full adverse impact of these tariff increases will be felt entirely in the United States and could represent one of the largest tax increases in American history.

We understand your frustration with China and are opposed to the tariffs the Chinese government has imposed as well. But subjecting U.S. companies, the workers they employ, and the consumers they serve to new and unprecedented taxes takes us further away from the deal you are working to craft. Ordering companies to leave China, the world’s second largest economy, is not a solution and is unrealistic. Although companies are taking steps to diversify their supply chains, developing overseas markets is critical to reaching the 95 percent of consumers who live outside the U.S. and in return expanding opportunities for American workers and consumers.

U.S. consumers are driving the growth of the U.S. economy. Let’s ensure consumer confidence remains high and economic prosperity continues for the American families we serve and the American workers we employ every day. A tariff delay is the gift you can give American families this holiday season. Please protect the holiday season and delay these tariffs.

Sincerely,

Snowsports Industries America, Outdoor Industry Association, PeopleForBikes, RV Industry Association, and 150-plus other trade organizations