US industry leaders are pursuing exemptions from tariffs on outdoor and sporting goods industries. The US Trade Representative office recently released a list of targets for 10 per cent tariffs $200 billion of Chinese imports. These include sporting products such as backpacks, duffel bags, bicycles, hats, gloves and some leather goods. The baseball and softball gloves are expected to be the hardest hit.

The tariffs would also hit the booming $887 billion outdoor recreation economy, which supports 7.6 million US jobs and generates $80 billion in tax revenues at the federal. They could have a devastating impact on outdoor companies and significantly raise costs for consumers. The current import tariffs on outdoor products are as high as 20 percent. Apparel and footwear were not on the list. The organisation has urged administration officials to continue to engage their Chinese counterparts in a constructive dialogue to resolve legitimate concerns about China's IP (intellectual property) practices and forced technology transfers.