Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) hosted a virtual briefing on Tuesday, September 17, during which industry leaders discussed the impact of U.S. trade policy on the outdoor recreation economy. ORR said the event comes as trade uncertainties pose increasing challenges to “one of the most vital sectors of the American economy, which supports over five million jobs and is a significant contributor to national economic, mental and physical well-being.”

“Outdoor recreation is booming, with participation reaching record levels,“ ORR said in a media release. “However, industry stakeholders emphasized that growth is threatened by ongoing trade disruptions and the expiration of essential trade programs, including the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP). The briefing featured insights on how to stabilize trade environments to ensure the continued growth of this uniquely American industry.”

Jessica Wahl Turner, president of ORR, opened the briefing by stressing the importance of maintaining a favorable trade climate for outdoor recreation companies to thrive.

“Without immediate action to address current trade policy challenges, we risk stalling one of the strongest economic sectors that has experienced significant growth in recent years,“ she said. “Congress has a unique opportunity to act at the end of the year to protect outdoor recreation jobs, rural economies, quality of life, and the experiences cherished by millions of Americans.”

The panel, moderated by Charles Cooper, founder and managing partner of the Brumidi Group, included leaders from across the outdoor industry:

  • Marc Berejka, Divisional VP, Community Advocacy & Impact, REI Co-op
  • Callie Hoyt, VP, Government Relations, National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA)
  • Glenn Hughes, President, American Sportfishing Association (ASA)
  • Jennifer Naeger, VP and General Counsel, Trek Bicycle Corporation (Trek)
  • Samantha Rocci, Director, Federal Affairs, RV Industry Association (RVIA)

The panelists detailed the economic and operational challenges facing their organizations and businesses due to ongoing trade uncertainty. They called for the retroactive extension of the Generalized System of Preferences, which expired in 2020, and shared how its renewal could relieve manufacturers and outdoor recreation businesses.

“Trade policy uncertainty is making it difficult for companies like ours to deliver on long-standing U.S. goals of moving overseas production to help developing countries,“ said REI’s Marc Berejka. “A retroactive extension of the GSP would go a long way in alleviating this pressure and, at the same time, would support small and medium-sized businesses operating across the sector.“

“Recreational marine manufacturers rely on free and fair trade and a stable business environment to stay competitive and to bolster the more than 812,000 jobs our industry supports,“ said NMMA’s Callie Hoyt. “The U.S. recreational marine industry is uniquely American, in which 95 percent of recreational boats sold in the U.S. are made domestically, and 93 percent of boat manufacturers are small businesses. Our industry supports trade policies that foster fair and open market access rather than unpredictable tit-for-tat tariffs. We advocate for a comprehensive U.S.-China trade policy that provides stability for domestic businesses while addressing critical issues in a targeted, modernized way.”

As the outdoor recreation industry seeks to diversify its supply chain beyond China, panelists also discussed how recent tariffs have hurt companies because of the many difficulties associated with moving manufacturing.

Glenn Hughes from ASA stressed the importance of fairness in the marketplace, ensuring companies worldwide are on the same playing field and pay their fair share of the associated duties and taxes.

The event included a discussion of the costs of congressional inaction. Trek’s Jennifer Naeger emphasized, “Failure to act on the retroactive renewal of GSP will have ripple effects throughout the economy, with rising costs affecting businesses, workers and outdoor enthusiasts alike.”

Samantha Rocci of RVIA highlighted the broader implications of the GSP program. “GSP has historically helped reduce costs for businesses and consumers alike,“ she noted. “Its expiration has compounded challenges like supply chain disruptions and high interest rates. We need Congress to act now.”

ORR said it will continue to ensure policymakers understand the importance and consequences of failing to act on these issues. The organization “remains committed to working with Congress to create a more stable trade environment for outdoor recreation, benefiting all Americans.”

To watch ORR’s a virtual briefing, go here. 

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For additional SGB Media coverage of U.S. Trade Policy and the Outdoor Recreation Economy, see below.

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