EU Reinstates Tariffs also on US Recreational Boats

Bahar O.

Boating Industry Caught in Crossfire as EU Strikes Back with US Tariffs The European Union has reintroduced retaliatory tariffs on US products, including recreational boats, following US tariffs on steel and aluminium. This move escalates trade tensions and raises concerns in the European boating industry.

The US imposed up to 25% tariffs on steel, aluminium, and related products from the EU on March 12. In response, the EU Commission is launching countermeasures to protect European businesses, workers, and consumers.

The European Boating Industry (EBI) strongly opposes the tariffs, warning of their severe impact on businesses and the boating value chain. EBI urged both sides to negotiate swiftly to avoid economic disruption.

“Retaliatory tariffs, as seen between 2018 and 2021, would have significant negative consequences,” the EBI stated. “They disrupt businesses, hinder growth, and threaten jobs, especially for SMEs that form the backbone of Europe’s boating industry.”

EBI stressed that these tariffs, rooted in steel and aluminium disputes, are unrelated to recreational boating. It called for their permanent removal to support economic growth on both sides of the Atlantic.

EBI remains in dialogue with the EU Commission, US partners, and other sectors to reach a swift and fair resolution.

Some other US products under retaliatory tariffs:

It imposed a 25% tariff on hundreds of other US imports, including corn, kidney beans, rice, corn flakes, peanut butter, blueberries, orange juice, whiskey, cigars, cigarettes, tobacco, lipstick, jeans, bed linen, shoes, sinks, stairs, fans, motorcycles, tubes, and steel.