Nicole Vasilaros, senior vice president of government relations and legal affairs  at the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), testified yesterday, Monday, August 20, before officials at the Office of the United States Trade Representative on the harmful effects of the administration’s proposed and ongoing Section 301 tariff on $200 billion in Chinese products, including boats, marine parts, and trailer tires.

“Our industry provides a uniquely American-made product,” Vasilaros said. “Ninety-five percent of boats sold in the US are made in the US. The US marine manufacturing industry relies on a competitive global market rooted in free and fair trade to deliver the world’s best marine products to consumers at home and abroad. While we recognize and support the need to deal with China’s unfair trade practices, the administration’s proposal to levy a 10-percent to 25-percent tariff on $200 billion worth of imports will increase the harm US manufacturers are already experiencing due to misguided US trade policy.

“Nobody wins in a trade war,” Vasilaros went on to say, “as the recent salvo of tit-for-tat tariffs have proved. But US manufacturing—and more specifically, the recreational boating industry—will continue to suffer the consequences as American business are subjected to compounding tariffs that disrupt global supply chains and increase the cost of US manufacturing. Simply put, doubling down on bad trade policy will wreak havoc on American- made industries.”

Vasilaros urged the committee and the administration to cease the implementation of tariffs on US manufacturers. He suggested instead a “focus on negotiating a deal with the government of China that is in the best interest of American consumers, workers, and businesses.”

Members of NMMA, including Chris Welch, inventory control and purchasing manager at Magic Tilt and John Hodge, president of Sea Eagle will also be testifying this week.