The US President’s tariff war is impacting the price of guns, ammunition, and accessories.
The 25% Canadian counter-tariffs placed on American-made guns and ammo are the issue, Canadian Sporting Arms and Ammunition Association President Wes Winkel said.
Tariffs on hunting gear problematic
“It’s very much a company-by-company situation. The tariffs are causing a major disruption,” he said, pointing out that some Canadian companies are in a holding pattern and not bringing in inventory, while others are absorbing part of the price, and a third group is adding 25% to the cost.
The situation is different with firearms accessories made in China. Mentioning Bushnell and Hoppe’s, Winkel said these items have the 150% US tariffs added. In most cases, he said manufacturers are now holding off importing.
“Most of the product brought in is packaged in the United States,” he said. “If this goes long term, there might be changes there. You have to remember the Canadian market isn’t that big. To most companies, we represent less than two per cent of their global market.”
Government firearms policies are still having a bigger impact than supply chain issues, Winkel noted.
Fishing retailers likewise concerned
Retailers selling fishing gear are facing similar concerns. Canadian Sportfishing Industry Association President Rob Walton said our counter-tariffs apply to America-made equipment. The US tariffs applying to Chinese-manufactured products, and aluminum and steel tariffs are more concerning, however.
“While the full details are still unfolding, in some cases by the day or by the hour, we are closely monitoring the situation to assess the impact to our market and our businesses and how we can work, as an industry, to mitigate these tariffs,” he said. “History shows that in times of upheaval and turmoil, people turn to heritage activities like fishing, as we witnessed during the pandemic. As always, our industry is strongest when we come together to get people out fishing for a much-needed mental health boost.”
Canadians and not politicians should have taken Trumps offer, instead that offer is redacted and Trumps Tariffs threat is all that is focused by the federal controlled media.