Certainly, Uncertainty is Weighing on the Markets
July 29, 2025
Over this past weekend, I think some uncertainty has been lifted as President Trump announced that a 15% tariff has been agreed to for the European Union – a far better outcome than the 30% level that had been talked about and feared. Not knowing where these forced Global trade realignments would hit was driving a strong feeling of uncertainty. Canada has not learned where the Trump administration will wind up on our tariff levels but I did read some reassuring editorial about the USMCA and that in fact, much of Canada’s trade is already covered under that agreement. We may wind up at that older and more favourable level, at least until the 2026 date for the renegotiation of the USMCA.
For many Canadians, this resolving situation will lift a lot of uncertainty and I think we can safely assume that our boating customers will resume their lifestyles as soon as possible, especially in a summer with so much hot sunny weather.
If you read my Editor’s Message last week, I was speculating on the new engine that Mercury was going to announce in Florida on July 21st. As you can now see from the heading on this edition of the Boating Industry Canada News Week Digest, it was in fact a new 425 horsepower V10 outboard as well as an enhanced 350 model.
I had commented that the V10 was not on the Mercury website when I went to check it ahead of my trip to the media introduction but apparently, I hit that brief moment when the previous information was being taken down and the new engine info was not yet public.
It’s all there now and you can look forward to seeing our reviews of three great boats powered by the new V10 425, appearing in upcoming issues of Canadian Boating magazine.
Now, back to the big stuff. We have to cross our fingers about our continuing trade relationships with the United States. Tariffs are on steel and aluminum now and automobile production in Canada too but it does feel that business issues are getting resolved.
We are about to start into the second half of Summer 2025 and I’m hoping that our customers are more willing to make a commitment to their boating pleasure.
Andy Adams – Editor
