Manufacturing has thrived in the US over the past couple of years but industry fears are rising that the escalating series of trade disputes provoked by President Donald Trump will bring its growth to a halt.
Many US manufacturers say the increased costs of steel, aluminium and components caused by US tariffs, and the accompanying threat of being shut out of other countries’ markets by retaliatory measures, have created uncertainty that is tempting them to put a brake on hiring and investment decisions.
“Overall the economy in the past 18 months has been very good,” said Michael Haberman, president of Gradall Industries, an Ohio based excavator manufacturer. “We had a good year last year, and we’re in the middle of a good year this year. But we are very concerned about the tariffs.”