21 March 2025 – Latest import / export market data.

Many members are asking us to provide the latest market data, especially the import and export volumes and values within key markets. Please remember that the best source of data is the ICOMIA Market Statistics book – published in November 2024. You can purchase this document here.

20 March 2025 – Update from EBI on the imposition of tariffs – start date.

EU Commissioner for Trade Maroš Šefčovič has just announced that the EU’s retaliatory tariffs on US boats and other products will be suspended for an additional two-week period until mid-April (rather than 1 April). This then coincides with the implementation of new tariffs on additional US products that the EU is planning.

This is at least encouraging as we hope that this period will be used by the US and EU for negotiations. EBI will also use this period to continue to make the case for a review of the 2018 tariff list.

We have ramped up our advocacy in the last days by sending letters to Commissioner for Trade Maroš Šefčovič and other related Commissioners, reaching out to our allies and key political groups in the EU Parliament, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, as well as outreach to national governments by EBI members. We are also closely coordinating with NMMA.

While not a solution to the issue, it is encouraging as we expect that this period will be used by the US and EU for negotiations.

Statement from ICOMIA on the announcement of EU/US and other tariff regimes

ICOMIA and all of our members strongly oppose the imposition of tariffs on recreational boats and their associated products.

These tariffs create significant risks to the growth potential of our industry, that is by its very nature internationally connected and global in nature. Their impact will be to hinder economic growth and jeopardise jobs, especially within SME’s that represent a large proportion of our industry. ICOMIA will support our members globally, especially NMMA in North America and EBI – European Boating Industry – on the removal of these punitive measures.

Summary of NMMA’s active lobbying within the White House

NMMA President and CEO Frank Hugelmeyer, along with SVP of Government Relations Robyn Boerstling, met with officials from the US Trade Representatives (USTR) office last week to discuss the impact of tariffs on manufacturing jobs, local economies, and the position of strength the recreational boating industry enjoys in North America. You can find full information here.

Statement from EBI

EBI issued the following press statement, highlighting their position and the activity that they were already undertaking on behalf of their members. You can read that statement here.

Statement from British Marine

British Marine shares the concerns about US tariffs on aluminium and steel and the unintended consequences these could have for the leisure marine industry.  This is not only in terms of potential price hikes to supply chains but also inadvertently drawing in the leisure marine industry through retaliatory measures that impact leisure marine trade, as was previously applied in recent years. 

It is why, on 12 March 2025,  British Marine’s Chief Executive, Lesley Robinson, wrote to the UK’s Minister for Trade Policy and Economic Security, commending the UK Government’s approach in having not retaliated against the aluminium and steel tariffs and urged the Government to remain focused on its efforts to secure a free trade agreement with the US.

British Marine is also continuing to work with officials in the Department for Business and Trade, and with its international partners, through ICOMIA, to press for a de-escalation of the trade tensions between the EU and US and together, with its partners, will continue to assess the implications of the latest tariffs on UK marine businesses to help guide its members.  For further information about British Marine’s work please contact publicaffairs@britishmarine.co.uk.