The European Commission today announced retaliatory tariffs on US products, including recreational boats, in response to the US government's steel and aluminium tariffs. However, the European Boating Industry (EBI) strongly opposes these tariffs and points out the potential risks for European companies and the entire value chain. The ECI calls on both the US administration and the European Commission to negotiate in the coming days and weeks to resolve this urgent issue.
In addition, if counter-tariffs on European boats are expected, they would affect the local industry much more than vice versa. The reason: US shipyards such as Sea Ray or Bayliner already produce certain models in Europe anyway and would therefore not be affected.
Punitive tariffs on US boats are harmful
The introduction of retaliatory tariffs, such as those already in force between 2018 and 2021, had a significant negative impact at the time. Tariffs fundamentally disrupt the free exchange of goods between companies, hinder economic growth and jeopardise jobs, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises, which form the backbone of the European boatbuilding industry, EBI said in a statement on its website. Website.
EBI calls for permanent solutions
Permanently lifting tariffs on recreational boats would instead support economic growth on both sides of the Atlantic. EBI is engaged in an ongoing dialogue with the European Commission, its partners in the US and other affected European sectors. The European recreational boating industry consists of over 32,000 companies and directly employs more than 280,000 people plus suppliers.
