Aluminium boats represent 44% of new boats sold in the US each year
The US International Trade Commission (ITC) Friday issued its final decision in the antidumping and countervailing duty investigations into common alloy aluminium sheet from China, affirming the Trump Administration’s tariffs of up to 176%.
The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) was among trade groups urging the government to remove all duties on aluminium sheet because of the ruinous effects on boatbuilders.
“The ITC’s approval of the 96.3% to 176.2% duties on common aluminium sheet from China makes it clear that the commission and administration are not concerned by the downstream fallout of this action – consequences that have been taking a toll on multiple American industries, including marine manufacturing since the US Department of Commerce self-initiated these investigations nearly a year ago,” said NMMA president Thom Dammrich in a statement. “Unfortunately, the antidumping and countervailing duties are on top of the Trump Administration’s 10% tariff on virtually all aluminium imports.”
Dammrich reiterated the immediate impact the tariffs have had on the marine industry. “Higher production costs and material shortages. Boat builders are seeing a 30-40% price increase for aluminium sheet, even though the vast majority source the material domestically. In addition, the compounding tariffs on Chinese aluminium sheet have strained the global supply, making it difficult for our industry to find enough aluminium sheet to keep up with manufacturing demand.
“In simple terms, this is troubling news for marine manufacturers and the people they employ. Aluminium boats represent 44% of new boats sold each year and account for approximately 22,000 American jobs.”
NMMA is calling on the administration to rethink its “tariffs first” trade policy, which Dammrich says is the wrong approach.
“Very few people deny that our trading relationships, especially with China, need to be reformed, but the current strategy is counterproductive. Striking long-term, binding agreements that foster free and fair trade is the most prudent way to protect America’s economic interests and workers.”
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