With the deadline for comments on the important China trade tariffs quickly approaching, we want to give you an update on how SIA is responding and how you can get involved. Our industry’s economic voice is an important part of the solution and we’ve make it easy and effective for you to weigh in too.
As you know by now, the Administration has proposed a 10% – 25% tariff on over $200 billion worth of U.S. products produced in China. Currently, there are a number of snow sports products on this list:
- Ski gloves
- Safety helmets
- Knit hats and head gear
- Sport bags
During the last season’s selling season (August 2018 – March 2018) these goods generated over $779 million dollars in retail sales. We are highly concerned about the impact that these proposed tariffs will have on our manufacturers and our retail partners, and are doing everything we can to remove them from the list.
Here is our plan and a few ways that you can help:
SIA is testifying in DC next week. Nick Sargent, SIA’s President will be testifying on Monday, 8/27 at the US International Trade Commission on behalf of SIA members – urging the commission to better understand the economic impacts of the proposed tariffs on our manufacturers and retailers.
Add your company signature. Please visit here to add your company’s name to a letter that will be delivered to the US Trade Representative in advance of the public comment period which ends on September 5th. Deadline for signatures: 8/31
Send in your own comment. We are making it easy for you to send your own public comment to the USTR before the September 5th deadline. Add a comment here.
Contact your Congressperson. SIA has already contacted our Utah Senators and we are asking our members to contact their Congressperson via phone too. It’s very easy and very effective. If you’re interested in making a call, visit here to get phone numbers and download a phone script.
Q&A conference call. We’re hosting a conference call with Jon Gold, Vice President at the National Retail Federation for us all to learn more about the current situation, how it could impact our businesses and to ask specific questions. Please join us.
Call Details:
When: Tuesday, August 28th.
Time: 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time
Call-In Number: 712-451-0891 PIN: 377794
Through these efforts, our goal is to protect these products from the tariffs and maintain the economic stability of our industry by removing them from the tariff list.
Thank you for your help and we’ll continue to keep you updated on the situation as it evolves.
