Tariff Policy

Tariff Impact Survey for PHTA/IHTA Members

PHTA has launched a survey on the impact of tariffs on the pool and hot tub industry. This survey collects data on imported products, components, and materials used in manufacturing. Responses will be anonymized. Industry participation is vital for PHTA's efforts to highlight tariff effects and seek potential exemptions.

Take the Tariff Survey

Recent Tariff Updates

China

On February 27, 2025, Trump amended an Executive Order to add another 10% tariff on Chinese imports, on top of existing tariffs, these went into effect March 4. In retaliation, China announced that they will impose tariffs ranging from 10% to 15% on various U.S. agricultural products, including chicken, pork, soybeans, and beef, starting March 10, 2025.

European Union

During his first cabinet meeting on February 26, 2025, Trump stated he will impose a 25% tariff on European Union (EU) imports, mentioning "cars and all other things". He said this would be announced "very soon". The EU vowed to "respond decisively and promptly" to Trump's tariff threats, emphasizing its readiness to protect European interests.

Canada and Mexico

On March 6, Trump delayed the imposition of 25% tariffs on goods from Mexico covered under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) until April 2. This decision was announced following a conversation with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum two days after the tariffs had been reimposed. Mexico had announced that they will impose retaliatory tariffs on some U.S. goods, but will not make the official announcement of the tariffs until Sunday, March 9; no formal announcement has been made if the President will move forward with such retaliatory tariffs in the time since Trump's tariff pause.

Later in the day on March 6, Trump announced a pause until April 2 on the 25% tariffs on Canada for goods covered under the USMCA. Canada has not yet announced a pause of their own. Until Canada states otherwise, in retaliation to the March 4 tariffs, Canada had said that they will impose 25% tariffs on over $20 billion in U.S. imports immediately, with additional tariffs on $86 billion worth of U.S. goods to be implemented March 25.

On March 5,  Trump announced a one-month pause on the 25% tariffs for automobiles imported from Canada and Mexico. This temporary exemption applies to vehicles entering under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and follows discussions with executives from the big three auto manufacturers. 

Reciprocal Tariffs

The Commerce Department is set to present a tariff plan to Trump on April 1, 2025. These reciprocal tariffs could be imposed as early as April 2, 2025.

Tariff Overview: Background and Recent Actions

President Trump Imposes Tariffs on Canada, Mexico, China (and likely the EU) - Retaliatory Tariffs Imposed

On February 1, 2025, President Trump signed executive orders imposing significant tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China. The measures include:

• 25% tariff on most imports from Mexico and Canada have been paused once again, originally effective March 4, but now paused until April 2 (both were paused for 30 days following the initial February 4 implementation date).
• 10% tariff on Canadian energy resources also paused again until April 2, but were originally effective March 4 (previously paused for 30 days).
• 20% tariff on all Chinese imports (initially 10%, first effective February 4 followed by an amendment to Trump's Executive Order imposing an additional 10% tariff effective March 4).

These tariffs are in addition to existing duties and eliminate the $800 de minimis exemption for small shipments. The administration cited national security concerns related to immigration, drug trafficking, and supply chain risks as justification.

Latest Round of Pauses for Tariffs on Mexico and Canada

• On March 5, Trump announced a one-month pause on the 25% tariffs for automobiles imported from Canada and Mexico following discussions with executives from the big three auto manufacturers.
• On March 6, Trump delayed the imposition of 25% tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico that are covered under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) until April 2.

Chinese Tariff

While the 20% tariff on all Chinese imports is now in effect, the de minimis exemption for small shipments under $800 is temporarily suspended pending the Secretary of Commerce's notification to the President that "adequate systems are in place to fully and expediently process and collect tariff revenue for all Chinese products." The initial tariff was 10% but was doubled March 4.

European Union

During his first cabinet meeting on February 26, 2025, Trump stated he will impose a 25% tariff on EU imports, mentioning "cars and all other things". He said this would be announced "very soon".

Steel and Aluminum

On February 10, 2025, President Trump signed proclamations imposing a 25% tariff on all imported steel and aluminum, effective March 12, 2025. This action revives and expands upon tariffs from his previous administration:

• The 25% steel tariff, previously modified to allow numerous exemptions, is reinstated.
• The aluminum tariff is increased from 10% to 25%, also removing previous exemptions.

All prior exemptions for both steel and aluminum tariffs are now void.

Reciprocal Tariffs

On February 13, 2025, Trump signed a memorandum directing his administration to develop a plan for implementing reciprocal tariffs on U.S. imports. These tariffs aim to mirror those placed on US goods by other countries. For example:

• Current U.S. tariff on ethanol: 2.5%
• Brazil's tariff on U.S. ethanol: 18%
• Potential reciprocal U.S. tariff on Brazilian ethanol: 18%

The Commerce Secretary and U.S. Trade Representative are expected to study and report on tariff rates on a country-by-country basis by April 1, with the possibility that they could be imposed as early as April 2.

International Response

China

In retaliation to the U.S. tariffs, imposed additional tariffs on specific U.S. goods, effective February 10, 2025:

• 15% additional tariff on U.S. coal and liquefied natural gas imports.
• 10% additional tariff on U.S. crude oil, agricultural machinery, and certain cars and pickup trucks.
• Additional tariffs ranging from 10% to 15% on various U.S. agricultural products, including chicken, pork, soybeans, and beef, starting March 10, 2025; announced following the March 4 U.S. tariffs.
• Filed a formal complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO), initiating the dispute settlement process, alongside additional retaliatory actions.
• Implemented (as of February 4) export controls on critical minerals like tungsten, tellurium, bismuth, molybdenum, and indium - all important minerals for various industries from technology to pharmaceuticals, to munitions and aerospace.
• Following Trump's announcement of an additional 10% tariff, China promised to "implement all required counteractions to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests"

Canada

• When the March 4 U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods went into effect, as did a 25% Canadian tariff on $20 billion of U.S. goods. In the time since the U.S. announced the pause through April 2 on Canadian tariffs, no Canadian pause has yet been announced. If the Canadian tariffs remain, it is expected that another $86 billion worth of U.S. goods will be tariffed in three weeks (March 25). The originally proposed tariffs had been paused for 30 days following a call between Trump and Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. During the call, Trudeau had agreed to implement a $1.3 billion border plan to target the flow of the deadly opioid fentanyl across the border into the U.S. and appoint a Fentanyl Czar.

Mexico

• In the time since the U.S. announced the pause on Mexico tariffs through April 2, Mexico has not yet indicated whether their previously announced retaliatory tariffs will still be imposed on Sunday, March 9. The tariffs were initially paused for 30 days following President Trump's announcement that Mexico would immediately reinforce the northern border with 10,000 members of the National Guard to prevent the flow of fentanyl and illegal immigrants from Mexico to the United States.

European Union

• The European Union (EU) has pushed back against Trump's tariff threat. A European Commission spokesperson said they'll "respond decisively and promptly to any unjustified obstacles to free and fair trade." The EU stressed the importance of their trade relationship with the U.S. but made it clear they're prepared to use retaliatory measures if necessary.

Trump previously warned that retaliatory tariffs could trigger further tariff escalation.

Industry Impact and What We Can Do

The newly imposed tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China will have a significant and direct impact on the pool and hot tub industry. Furthermore, the possibility of new tariffs on European Union goods adds to these challenges, creating a complex trade environment. Imported or exported products, components, and materials used in the manufacturing of pool and hot tub products to or from Mexico, Canada, China, and the EU will be directly impacted by the tariffs.

PHTA and the International Hot Tub Association (IHTA) recognize that our membership encompasses manufacturers and businesses with diverse and competing interests regarding potential tariff implementations, PHTA/IHTA have deliberately adopted an agnostic position that respects the varied perspectives within our membership.

PHTA and IHTA committees have, however, been proactively engaging with the new administration, offering ourselves and our membership as a conduit for balanced dialogue and ensuring that multiple viewpoints are represented should the new administration reach out to us to discuss the proposed tariffs. Additionally, PHTA is working closely with our Federal lobbyist team DCLRS and various organizations (i.e., National Association of Manufactures) to navigate these proposals and work towards a favorable outcome for all involved.

What Can PHTA/IHTA Members Do?

PHTA/IHTA encourages our members to share the impact of tariffs on their businesses, whether positive or negative. Companies can directly reach out to their representative members of Congress or share the impacts with PHTA, who will then communicate with members of Congress and the administration.

Check Supply Chains and Complete Tariff Impact Survey

PHTA has created a Tariff Impact Survey for members to provide information about their supply chains and tariff impacts.

Manufacturing members should:

1. Examine their supply chains.
2. Identify imported products, components, and materials from affected countries.
3. Complete the PHTA Tariff Impact Survey with this information.

Take the Tariff Survey

PHTA will aggregate and anonymize the data to protect competitive interests. This information will be used in advocacy efforts to highlight industry impacts and identify potential future exemptions.

The PHTA Government Relations team, IHTA, the PHTA Government Relations Advisory Committee (GRAC), and other PHTA committees are working together as new tariff developments evolve. PHTA will continue to update the industry as new developments come to light.

Please reach out to PHTA's Director of Government Relations Tyler Jones with any questions.

Table of Tariffs

Current, scheduled, and announced tariffs