Tariffs are Destroying Demand for Products Manufactured in US: Steel Index Study

American manufacturers are paying 17.2% more than their foreign competitors for hot- and cold-rolled steel, according to a new study, from Business Forward released on Dec. 12.  

The difference between U.S. and competitors’ prices is 1.8 times larger since February, the report says.

“President Trump’s tariffs on steel and aluminum are increasing consumer prices and hurting American exports,” explained Business Forward president, Jim Doyle.

“American manufacturers have started shifting production overseas, and they are cutting back on capital investment. The long-term costs are becoming clear,” Doyle added

Months of higher steel prices have caused U.S. manufacturers to switch strategies: Now they are importing more finished products and manufacturing less in the U.S. The Business Forward report explains this phenomenon, called “demand destruction.”

“Multiple U.S. manufacturers (that are able to) are planning to shift production elsewhere and import a good with steel rather than manufacture stuff in the U.S.,” said Josh Spoores, Principal Steel Analyst for CRU, a leading steel industry research firm.

“In order to have great manufacturing, a country or region must have cheap or affordable materials and energy, Spoores added. “The US has energy, but steel is not cheap. You also will see substitution and once that comes, it is challenging for a switch back.”