The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) hosted a critical virtual briefing (recording available here), gathering industry leaders to discuss the impacts of U.S. trade policy on the $1.1 trillion outdoor recreation economy.
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. However, industry stakeholders emphasized that growth is threatened by ongoing trade disruptions and the expiration of essential trade programs, such as 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. 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,” she said.
The panel, moderated by Charles Cooper, founder and managing partner of the Brumidi Group, included distinguished leaders from across the outdoor recreation space:
- Marc Berejka, divisional vice president, Community Advocacy & Impact, REI
- Callie Hoyt, vice president of government relations, National Marine Manufacturers Association
- Glenn Hughes, president, American Sportfishing Association
- Jennifer Naeger, vice president and general counsel, Trek Bicycle Corporation
- Samantha Rocci, director of federal affairs, RV Industry Association
Panelists detailed the economic and operational challenges facing their organizations and businesses as a result of ongoing trade uncertainty. They called for the retroactive extension of the GSP, which expired in 2020, and shared how its renewal could provide much-needed relief for manufacturers and outdoor recreation businesses alike.
Samantha Rocci of the RV Industry Association (RVIA) highlighted the broader implications of the GSP program: “GSP has historically helped reduce costs for businesses and consumers alike. Its expiration has compounded challenges like supply chain disruptions and high-interest rates. We need Congress to act now.”
“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 Marc Berejka of REI. “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 Callie Hoyt from the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA). “The U.S. recreational marine industry is uniquely American, in which 95% of recreational boats sold in the U.S. are made domestically, and 93% 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 the American Sportfishing Association stressed the importance of fairness in the marketplace, ensuring companies across the globe are on the same playing field and paying their fair share of the associated duties and taxes.
The event included a discussion of the opportunity costs of congressional inaction. “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,” emphasized Jennifer Naeger of Trek Bicycle Corporation.
ORR will continue its efforts to ensure policymakers understand the critical nature of these issues and the consequences of failing to act. The organization remains committed to working with Congress to create a more stable trade environment for outdoor recreation, benefiting all Americans.
