SPOKANE, Wash. — It has been almost four weeks since the Trump administration imposed 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, and local businesses are already feeling the effects.
Metal is a crucial component in everything from soda cans to airplanes, and it’s becoming more expensive.
Michael Bolton, owner of Still Waters Metal Fab in Spokane Valley, said the price of steel has increased five times since January.
The price hikes on imported material has prompted many businesses to turn to domestic producers. However, this shift has led to backlogs, with wait times extending from one or two months to three or four months.
Metal shops report a growing trend towards purchasing American-made metals, a movement that began even before the tariffs were implemented.
Lucas Beechinor, an outside salesperson at Alcobra Metals in Spokane, said that since COVID-19, there has been a significant decrease in imported materials, with a greater demand for domestic products.
“I would say really these tariffs have in some ways almost turbocharged the momentum,” Beechinor said.
He said many manufacturers are willing to pay higher costs for American-made metal because of the quality.
“Domestic manufacturers, certainly are generally held to higher standards in terms of the quality of the product and how it’s made,” Beechinor said.
But with increased demand and better quality, the prices of domestic metal are set to increase as well.
“The domestic manufacturers have to stay competitive, so they’ll do what they can to keep costs as close as possible to the import,” Beechinor said.
Bolton said he’s willing to pay higher prices to help grow domestic production.
“It’s going to take time to get there, but it’s a good thing and I’d rather buy American steel than foreign steel anyway,” he said.
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