Tariffs Are Here to Stay; ATA Shifts Focus to Excise Tax Reform 

As of Sept. 25, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit upheld the Trump administration’s Section 301 tariffs on Chinese goods. 

The decision reinforces the federal government’s authority to continue imposing — and potentially expanding — tariffs on trade partners that have not entered negotiations. Further legal challenges would now require a request for rehearing or the passage of new legislation by Congress. 

In response, the Archery Trade Association is continuing its dialogue with members of Congress to communicate the impact of the tariffs and share feedback from the archery industry. 

While the dust settles on the court’s ruling, the ATA remains focused on addressing disparities in excise tax collection that affect the archery industry. 

The association and its partners initially sought to include excise tax reform in the current federal spending bill. However, with that bill now at risk of failing ahead of a possible government shutdown, the strategy is shifting. 

The ATA is now pursuing other pathways to passage that might include amending the excise tax “slippage” language in the Sport Fish Restoration reauthorization bill. 

This shift aligns the ATA with its legislative partners in the sportfishing sector, which also faces similar excise tax collection challenges. The bill aims to close loopholes that allow some online marketplace sellers and other retailers to avoid excise tax obligations that many U.S.-based businesses are required to meet.  

If passed, the bill would have two primary benefits: first, leveling the competitive playing field between compliant U.S. retailers and those currently avoiding excise taxes; and second, boosting funding for conservation programs that support hunting, fishing and access to public lands. 

The legislation would strengthen conservation funding by ensuring that all sales of archery equipment contribute to conservation efforts and the maintenance and protection of public lands. 

For more information, contact Dan Forster, ATA vice president and chief conservation officer, at danforster@archerytrade.org.