Let me relate my perspective on the Trump Tariff's...from an international. small business perspective. [View all]

Made my bones in US manufacturing from 71-99. Then started a business repping manufacturer's in China and later, in India. We dealt exclusively with US OEM's and delivered product to drawing specifications. Most recently. we had a reasonably healthy business, repping extruded aluminum product producers in India. Until Trump tariff's kicked in. Most of our business dried up and we've been semi-dormant for the past 6 or 7 months. 50% tariffs tend to do that.

But, this week, we are re-engaging with 3 customers who were primary customers for us before Trump. Why, you ask?

Because US aluminum capacity cannot address US demand. Lead times are going out. The biggest US players in extruded aluminum products are booking capacity and the smaller guys - our clients - are forced to work at a 50% disadvantage, cost wise. No matter, they can't compete with 26 week lead times. We can offer 8 week order to delivery. That means something in business.

End result. we will pay more for most everything we buy.