President Donald Trump’s tariffs on imported aluminium, initially designed to boost US manufacturing, are now criticised for causing economic harm and threatening jobs amid surging costs and supply chain disruptions, according to industry leaders and workers.
President Donald Trump’s imposition of steep tariffs on imported aluminum, championed by Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick as a catalyst for a U.S. manufacturing revival, is facing growing criticism from industry leaders and economists across the political spectrum. These tariffs, intended to protect domestic producers and rejuvenate American manufacturing, appear to be inflicting significant economic harm on businesses and workers rather than delivering the promised renaissance.
In a candid op-ed published in The Washington Post, Sachin Shivaram, CEO of the Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry in Green Bay, vividly outlines the detrimental impact of these tariffs on his workforce—largely consisting of blue-collar workers who predominantly supported Trump’s 2024 presidential bid. Shivaram acknowledges that while his employees earn competitive wages and benefits, the tariffs are now threatening their job security and economic well-being. He writes, “It’s a hard truth that some kinds of manufacturing are never going to come back in the United States, and no amount of protective tariffs will change that.” This admission challenges the administration’s narrative that tariffs alone can restore lost industries. Shivaram’s straightforward perspective captures the frustration of many workers who believed Trump’s promise of economic revival but now find themselves absorbing the costs of these policies.
The Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry primarily produces aluminum castings, and the tariffs, aimed at encouraging domestic aluminum smelting, have instead caused costs to spike dramatically. Shivaram reveals that the Midwest Premium—an essential cost component for North American aluminum—has tripled in the past six months, and non-aluminum input costs rose by 7% in the last month alone. These surging expenses undermine the viability of his business and force difficult decisions about employment and production.
Supporting this frontline experience, economic data and industry analyses present a broader picture of the tariffs’ fallout. According to a CNN report, the 25% tariff on imported aluminum, a cornerstone of Trump’s trade policy, risks the direct loss of approximately 20,000 U.S. aluminum industry jobs and could indirectly eliminate up to 80,000 more jobs across related sectors. William Oplinger, CEO of major aluminum producer Alcoa, warns that these tariffs not only threaten domestic production but also jeopardise the broader economy.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce corroborates these findings, highlighting how tariffs on steel and aluminum raise input costs for manufacturers who rely heavily on these materials—many of which cannot be sufficiently sourced domestically. The resulting increase in production costs is passed on to consumers and risks job losses in downstream industries reliant on affordable raw materials.
Moreover, smaller manufacturers face heightened uncertainty as they struggle to adapt their supply chains amid these tariffs, according to reporting from Manufacturing Dive. The disruption complicates global logistics and erodes the competitive edge of U.S. manufacturers, potentially undermining long-term economic growth.
Industries like automotive and aerospace, examined in detail by TIME magazine, stand to face rising costs due to tariff-related price hikes on steel and aluminum. This not only affects production but could lead to higher prices for consumers. PBS NewsHour similarly outlines how tariffs—sometimes as high as 50%—impact sectors ranging from construction to consumer goods, amplifying the economic strain felt well beyond the steel and aluminum industries themselves.
Collectively, these perspectives underscore the complex consequences of Trump’s tariff policies. While intended as protectionist measures to strengthen domestic manufacturing, the tariffs are contributing to cost surges, supply chain upheaval, and job losses. Shivaram’s honest testimony on behalf of his workers encapsulates the human toll often overshadowed in political debates: “Our people have built careers here, sending kids to college, buying homes and retiring with pride. They are exactly the kind of workers President Donald Trump says he wants to help. On that, we agree.” Yet the very policies aimed at helping these workers are putting their livelihoods at risk.
As the debate over tariffs continues, it is clear that any path to revitalising American manufacturing must go beyond protectionism and consider the realities of global supply chains, cost structures, and the evolving industrial landscape. Policymakers who acknowledge these nuances may better align with the interests of workers and businesses striving to thrive in a competitive, interconnected economy.
Source: Noah Wire Services
