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International trade doesn't like fog. However, with the introduction on February 24, 2026 of a 10% tariff on most products imported into the United States, visibility has once again been reduced.
Following the Supreme Court's invalidation of the IEEPA-based measures, the US administration has activated Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974. The measure has been announced for 150 days. There is talk of an increase to 15%. The European Union is calling for total transparency and recalls the joint declaration of August 2025. Seen from an exporter's desk, the first reaction is obvious: caution. But let's take a step back. Yachting has been through worse than 10% temporary duties. As a reminder, some shipyards have faced tariffs of up to 30%.
In a context of post-Covid normalization, where demand has stabilized, this difference is not neutral. It can preserve margins, maintain volumes and avoid price hikes that are too brutal for American distributors. Secondly, this sequence can act as an eye-opener. For several years now, the European marine industry has been questioning its dependence on certain markets and supply chains. Uncertainty over tariffs acts as an electroshock. It's prompting us to diversify outlets, secure logistics flows and strengthen industrial integration.
What if, in fact, this pressure was encouraging a form of consolidation?
On the American side, the National Marine Manufacturers Association points out that 95% of the boats sold in the USA are produced locally, and that the sector is worth $230 billion and provides over 800,000 jobs. American manufacturers also need stability and access to world markets. With Europeans acting in reciprocity, the interest in a fluid transatlantic environment is shared.
So, without being naive, we can ask: aren't these 150 days a window for negotiation rather than a definitive lock? If Washington and Brussels quickly clarify the framework, if the spirit of the August 2025 declaration is respected, the current sequence could even lead to a more legible framework.
A breath of fresh air doesn't always come from an expanding market. It can come from better organization, collective awareness and the ability to anticipate rather than suffer.
Nothing is set in stone. In this shifting context, adaptability is undoubtedly the most practical asset for getting through this sequence without (too) much damage.
