As we previously reported, President Trump is looking to impose tariffs on China, Mexico, and Canada. This is going to hit wood prices for skateboard decks hard since most skateboards are made in those countries.
According to reports, starting at midnight on Tuesday, the U.S. was set to start collecting a 25% tariff on almost all goods from Mexico and Canada.
Plus, President Trump also added another 10% tariff on all imports from China on top of the existing 10% tariff from last month, impacting products like wood, electronics, shoes, and medicines. These new tariffs are in addition to ones that were already in place during his first term.
For example, the Santa Cruz 8.25" Asta Space Cat VX Skateboard Deck is currently priced at $91.95 on Zumiez, while the Creature x Sketchy Tank Martinez Trippy Tanks VX 8.5" Skateboard Deck goes for $93.95.
Even though Martinez was named Skater of the Year back in 2019, his boards are pretty pricey, making them not worth it for a pro deck.
Skaters everywhere are feeling the squeeze as deck prices keep soaring, and the whole tariff situation is just adding to the stress.
With costs already climbing, a lot of folks are beginning to wonder how much more they'll have to fork over for decent gear in the near future.
Some brands are trying to keep prices in check, but premium decks are quickly turning into a luxury instead of something you can snag on the regular.
Sure, some might look for budget options, but with most skateboard production happening in China, Mexico, and Canada, it’s hard to figure out how long those alternatives will stay cheap.
It's hard to say if this is just a little bump in the road or the start of something bigger. One thing's for sure - skateboarding is getting more expensive, and if those tariffs come into play, things could get a lot tougher.