Brief
Ohio manufacturers cite Trump tariffs as costly burden ahead of midterms
Tariffs on aluminum, steel and autos imposed since Trump’s 2025 return are straining Ohio factories as the November elections approach.
By Felo News Desk · Published
President Donald Trump’s renewed tariff regime is hitting Ohio manufacturers hard, according to interviews conducted by AFP and reported by the Daily Times. Doug Rende, chief executive of Shapes Unlimited in North Jackson, Ohio, said the tariffs have added up to $5 million in annual costs, while fellow producer Sam Miller of Warren described similar pressures on his kitchen‑and‑bathroom product line.
Rende’s company makes aluminum building products such as fence fixtures. He explained that tariffs on aluminum have risen from 10 percent during Trump’s first term to 50 percent last year, forcing his firm to absorb extra expenses that include “upwards of $6,500 per container” for shipping. "Frustrating would be one word," Rende told AFP, adding that the lack of trust in the administration and Congress is palpable.
The surge in transportation fees, driven by higher fuel prices linked to the US‑Israel war on Iran, compounds the cost burden. Rende said the added expenses total between $4.5 million and $5 million this year, a sum he believes consumers can only bear so much. To cope, Shapes Unlimited has paused recruitment and is investing in robotic assembly.
Sam Miller, who runs a Warren‑based factory that produces kitchen and bathroom components, faces a double squeeze: tariffs on imported Asian materials and reduced access to the Canadian market after trade talks collapsed in August. "It’s been difficult for businesses to manage," Miller told AFP. He noted that while the Supreme Court struck down many of Trump’s duties, the president has reinstated many of them, leaving his planned Canadian distribution centre delayed.
Both manufacturers see the tariff environment as a factor that could influence voter sentiment in the upcoming November midterm elections, where Democrats aim to flip the Senate and House. Guy Coviello, president of the Youngstown Warren Regional Chamber, said he is monitoring the impact of tariffs, the Iran war and immigration closely.
Key facts
- Trump’s aluminum tariffs rose from 10% to 50% between his first term and last year (dailytimes.com.pk)
- Shapes Unlimited faces $4.5‑$5 million in extra costs this year (dailytimes.com.pk)
- Shipping surcharges can exceed $6,500 per container (dailytimes.com.pk)
- Sam Miller’s company struggles with tariffs on Asian imports and reduced Canadian market access (dailytimes.com.pk)
- Manufacturers are pausing hiring and investing in automation to offset costs (dailytimes.com.pk)
Sources
- [1] dailytimes.com.pk — originally reported as “Trump's trade wars sting US manufacturers ahead of midterms”
