Business · Trade · 23 hrs ago
Tariffs and Iran war raise costs for US manufacturers
US manufacturers are facing higher costs from President Donald Trump’s tariffs and the Iran war.
In Ohio, aluminium company Shapes says tariffs have added millions of dollars to its yearly costs, while higher fuel and freight charges have made shipments more expensive.
The company has paused hiring and is investing in robotic assembly.
Another Ohio manufacturer, Sam Miller, pays tariffs on materials from Asia and says trade tensions with Canada have slowed plans to open a distribution centre there.
Canada is Ohio’s biggest export market, and some products cross the border several times during production.
Some US manufacturers benefit when tariffs make foreign competitors’ goods more expensive, but business leaders say the overall effect on local firms is negative.
Democrats hope dissatisfaction with trade policies will help them in November’s midterm elections, when they are seeking control of both houses of Congress.
Tariffs and higher fuel-related shipping costs linked to the Iran war have raised expenses for US manufacturers.
Doug Rende, chief executive of Ohio aluminium producer Shapes, said the company faced more than US$4.5 million in additional costs this year.
Rende said shipping surcharges were as high as US$6,500 per container.
Ohio manufacturer Sam Miller said tariffs and strained trade with Canada have made business harder.
Some manufacturers have paused hiring, slowed expansion or lost customers, according to the article.
- Who
- US manufacturers, including Doug Rende of Shapes and Sam Miller.
- What
- Tariffs and higher transport costs linked to the Iran war are increasing costs and creating uncertainty for manufacturers.
- When
- The article was published on October 11, 2026. Rende said the additional costs were for this year.
- Where
- The manufacturers discussed are in Ohio, United States; Miller also sells into Canada.
- Why
- Tariffs raise costs on imported materials and products, while fuel-price increases linked to the Iran war have raised freight costs.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
This year alone, it’s upwards of US$4.5 million (S$5.8 million) to US$5 million in additional costs
It’s been difficult for businesses to manage
These are a “mixed bag” for firms but negative overall
There’s only so much that the end consumer is willing to eat
Trump returned to the presidency and began using executive authority to impose tariffs, according to the article.
Tariffs on aluminium rose to 50%, after earlier rates of 10% and 25%.
US-Canada trade negotiations collapsed, and Washington and Ottawa imposed tariffs on each other’s products.
Miller had planned to open a distribution facility in Canada, but progress slowed.
- Shapes’ additional costs
- More than US$4.5 million and up to US$5 million this year
- Shipping surcharge
- As high as US$6,500 per container
- Aluminium tariff rate
- Rose to 50% in 2025
- Ohio exports to Canada
- One-third of the state’s exports go to Canada
- Youngstown Warren Regional Chamber members
- About 3,000
Sources
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