Trending Now - Trump's Tariffs Intended to Aid Manufacturers Are Causing Harm

WHO:

President Donald Trump

Jay Allen, owner of Allen Engineering Corp.

Pierre Yared, acting chairman of the White House Council of Economic Advisers

Skanda Amarnath, executive director of Employ America

Joseph Steinberg, economist at the University of Toronto

Glen Calder, president of Calder Brothers

Lori Wallach, director of the Rethink Trade program at American Economic Liberties Project

WHAT:

Tariffs imposed by Trump have negatively impacted American manufacturers.

Allen Engineering Corp. has seen costs rise due to tariffs on engines, steel, gearboxes, and clutches.

Power trowels produced by Allen Engineering can sell for up to $100,000 each.

Allen's payroll decreased from 205 workers to 140 workers.

Allen raised prices by 8% to 10% to cope with increased costs.

98,000 manufacturing jobs were lost during Trump's first full year in office.

American companies are suing the Trump administration for over $130 billion in tariff refunds.

Steel tariffs were increased to 50% in June 2025.

China’s trade surplus reached a record $1.2 trillion.

WHERE:

Northeast Arkansas (location of Allen Engineering Corp.)

Washington, D.C. (location of the White House)

South Carolina (location of Calder Brothers)

Arizona, Texas, and Idaho (locations of ongoing Biden-era projects)

WHEN:

Tariffs were imposed in March 2025 and increased in June 2025.

The Supreme Court ruled certain emergency import taxes illegal in February 2026.

Factory construction spending began to accelerate in 2022.

WHY:

Trump’s rationale for tariffs was to force more factories to open in the U.S. and to close federal budget deficits.

The tariffs were intended to help American companies compete against China.

HOW:

Trump has taken more than 50 actions on tariffs, including announcements, reversals, and exemptions.

Companies are deterred from expanding due to uncertainty surrounding tariffs.

The Association of Equipment Manufacturers has called for tax credits and tariff relief on raw materials and components.

(UPDATED March 18, 2026 11:18 UTC)

Today, President Trump and several industry leaders, including Jay Allen of Allen Engineering Corp. and Pierre Yared from the White House Council of Economic Advisers, discussed the negative impact of tariffs on American manufacturers, particularly highlighting how Allen Engineering has had to raise prices by up to 10% and reduce its workforce from 205 to 140 employees. The tariffs, which were first imposed in March 2025 and increased to 50% in June 2025, have contributed to the loss of 98,000 manufacturing jobs during Trump's first full year in office, and American companies are now suing the administration for over $130 billion in tariff refunds. As uncertainty around tariffs continues to deter expansion, the Association of Equipment Manufacturers is calling for tax credits and relief on raw materials to help American businesses compete against China.