As summer begins to wind down, Americans across the country are taking advantage of their backyards, local beaches, and parks for vacations and weekend trips- and likely purchasing equipment to more fully enjoy those activities. However, Americans aren’t the only ones who buy basic summer gear like beach balls, golf clubs, and fishing reels. All around the world people take time to enjoy the warm weather and the outdoors- and products manufactured in America help them do just that.
Backyard Fun
Yard games with family and friends can be a great way to spend long summer days. Last year the United States exported nearly $2 billion worth of outdoor games, which accounted for over a quarter of total U.S. sporting equipment exports. These include items like playground equipment, soccer balls, baseballs, basketballs, archery accessories, and lawn-tennis rackets, which are exported to our global trading partners.
Teeing Off
As many Americans find themselves on the green, participating in a great summer pastime, many more throughout the world are doing the same. In 2010 the United States exported more than half a billion dollars in golf clubs, balls, and accessories, making up a combined one-third of total U.S. sporting equipment exports.
Beach Bound
With the sand between your toes and a cooling mist in your face, the beach has always been a popular place for Americans to visit. People across the world agree. Last year, U.S. businesses exported nearly $300 million worth of beach equipment, including surfboards, sailboards, water-skis, and of course, beach balls. These sales accounted for ten percent of our nation’s total sporting goods exports.
Increasing Summer Fun Equipment Exports
However, tariffs as high as 20 percent currently pose a substantial hindrance to U.S. companies and their ability to reach foreign consumers. Luckily, upon implementation of the three pending trade agreements with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea, such roadblocks will be immediately eliminated or quickly phased out. These new agreements will provide a substantial opportunity for U.S. exporters to become increasingly pivotal providers of summer fun equipment.
So, whether you’re teeing off, planting your beach umbrella in the sand, sitting lazily on a pier with a reel in your hands, or just enjoying some summer fun with family and friends, you can bet others around the world are doing the same, thanks in large part to the benefits of U.S. manufacturing and global trade.
