PHTA Alert: Tariff Policy By PHTA
On February 1, 2025, President Trump signed executive orders imposing significant tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China, effective February 4. The measures include:
• 25 percent tariff on most imports from Mexico and Canada (both since paused for 30 days).
• 10 percent tariff on Canadian energy resources (paused for 30 days).
• 10 percent tariff on all Chinese imports.
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.
International Response
Canada announced a 25 percent tariff on $155 billion CAD of U.S. goods but has since been paused following a call between Trump and Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Mexico initially pledged countermeasures but has since paused based on planned negotiations between the U.S. and Mexico.
China condemned the tariffs and plans a World Trade Organization (WTO) lawsuit alongside additional retaliatory actions.
Trump warned that retaliatory tariffs could trigger further tariff escalation.
Ahead of the February 4 effective date, the Trump administration placed a 30-day pause on the Mexico tariffs to allow time for negotiations. In announcing this pause, President Trump said that Mexico will 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.
Similarly, the Trump administration placed a 30-day pause on the Canada tariffs following a call between Trump and Trudeau, where Trudeau 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.
If these tariffs are implemented, they will have a significant and direct impact on the pool and hot tub industry. Imported or exported products and components and materials used in the manufacturing of pool and hot tub products to or from Mexico, Canada, and China will be directly impacted by the tariffs.
The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) and the International Hot Tub Association (IHTA) recognize that its 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 their membership.
PHTA and IHTA committees have, however, been proactively engaging with the Trump administration, offering themselves and their membership as a conduit for balanced dialogue and ensuring that multiple viewpoints are represented should the administration reach out to them to discuss the proposed tariffs. Additionally, PHTA is working closely with its federal lobbyist team, DCLRS, and various organizations (i.e. National Association of Manufactures) to navigate these proposals and work toward a favorable outcome for all involved.
What Can PHTA/IHTA Members Do?
PHTA/IHTA encourages 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, which will then communicate with members of Congress and the administration.
A good starting point for IHTA and manufacturer members is to examine supply chains and compile a list of general products, components, and materials used in manufacturing that are imported from Canada, China, and Mexico (at minimum include item and import country). Once they have this information, they may send it to PHTA Director of Government Relations Tyler Jones, who will aggregate an anonymized list to protect competitive interests. This data can be used in advocacy efforts highlighting the impact on the pool and spa industry, as well as identify future potential exemptions.
Th e PHTA Gov e r nme n t Relations team, IHTA, the PHTA Government Relations Advisory Committee (GRAC), and other PHTA committees are working together as new tariff developments evolve. PHTA will update the industry as new developments come to light.
