News Investigation USA ELECTION
fishing tackle industry?
President Trump – good or bad for the
• •
Surprise win for Donald Trump could spell unsettled period for US economy
Many hope that Trump will favour and help small businesses •
A lack of environmental concern could cause huge problems for fi shing
I
n November 2016, the United States of America shockedmuch of the world by electing Donald
Trump as its 45th president. It was one of themost covered elections in world history and also one of themost brutal battles between presidential
candidates.Many of both Donald Trump’s and Hilary Clinton’s arguments became personal and no stone was left unturned in theirmissions to get the better of one another. Eventually, though, the American public decided that political newcomer and business tycoon Donald Trump was itsman for at least the next four years. It was a surprise outcome according to polls and international media, but now the dust has settled, each aspect of American society is looking to theWhite House and wondering what it means for
them.And the fishing industry is no different. “Recreational fishing is one
federal business
regulation.The American Sportfishing Association is optimistic that a Trump administration will be supportive of these concepts.We are also pleased thatmany sportfishing champions were re-elected to the House and the Senate.” The ASA has been working
environment are a joke – it could be bad news in the long term.”
views on the “Trump’s
hard over the entirety of the last presidential administration to ensure that the government considers the worth of recreational fishing and that the contribution itmakes to society and the economy is recognised. It will continue thatmission, and clearly hopes that Donald Trump will be supportive
of that. Donald
Trump did not reveal toomuch
on his view of the fishing and outdoor industries during his campaign.
of our nation’smost popular traditional outdoors sports,with 46million Americans fishing every year and that includesmembers of the Trump family,” explained Scott Gudes, vice-president of government affairs of the USA’s industry body the American Sportfishing Association (ASA). “In addition,America’s anglers
generatemore than $48 billion in retail sales,with a $115 billion impact on the nation’s economy, creating employment formore than 828,000 people.While it is hard to predict what will transpire over the next four years, our industry comprises small businesses that depend on solid fisheries conservationmanagement and public access to public fishery resources.Our industry supports a fairer tax burden and less
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www.tackletradeworld.com
He did, in an interview with American consumermagazine Field & Stream, admit that he was a ‘big Second Amendment person’ and also claimed he would attempt to avoid cuts thatmight affect themanagement of, or access to, public lands for outdoor sports. Trump did also run an advertising campaign showing that he is from a ‘hunting and fishing family’ and that he would protect ‘these great traditions of America’, stating: “I’m so happy and thrilled to have the support of America’s sportsmen and
sportswomen.Hunting, fishing and other outdoor activities are favourite pastimes across America, passed down fromgeneration to generation.” So it seems obvious that not
many in the fishing industry have a problemwith Trump froman understanding the importance and value of outdoor sports point of view.His stance on small businesses, of which the fishing
tackle industry is largely comprised of, also seems favourable. NeilMiritello of the FJ Neil
Company told us: “Inmy opinion, Donald Trump as President will be a very positive influence on the fishing tackle industry in the USA. I feel this way because essentially the industry in the US was built on small businesses and hard- working entrepreneurs. I believe that President Trump will help to enact policies that are favourable towards small businesses,which are the backbone of the trade in the US.He will endorse tax and health care reform,which are two very important factors to any small business.” Thesemay be simplistic ways
of looking at it, but a President’s background and personality has a big effect on how they do things. With that inmind, itmay not be as clear cut, according to Fly Fishing Show organiser Ben Furimsky. “I have several friends who have
guided the Trump boys and they are avid fishermen and hunters. This would be a good indicator that he and they are in touch with the industry and what can promote and grow it.However, they do seemto participate in a relatively private and exclusive formof the sport,which is different fromthe average participant. It is also very obvious thatMr Trump is quite driven by power and money and itmay be hard to predict what he is willing to sacrifice for this.”
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