NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) In the heart of Baltimore, Drew Greenblatt, the president and owner of Marlin Steel Wire Products, stands as a staunch supporter of the Trump administration's tariff policies. Greenblatt believes that these tariffs are crucial for rebalancing a global trading system that, in his view, has historically favored foreign competitors over American manufacturers.

Marlin Steel, located in Baltimore, Maryland, specializes in manufacturing baskets and racks tailored for a variety of industries, including medical devices, aerospace, and food processing. The company employs 115 people and operates across three states: Maryland, Indiana, and Michigan, sourcing its steel from suppliers in Tennessee, Illinois, and Michigan.

Greenblatt argues that competing with baskets produced overseas is becoming increasingly difficult due to what he describes as an unfair advantage enjoyed by foreign manufacturers. He highlights the case of European tariffs and taxes, which inflate costs for German consumers looking to buy Marlin's wire baskets, making it significantly cheaper for Americans to purchase German-made products. Its wildly unfair to the American worker, Greenblatt asserts, emphasizing that this situation has persisted for decades.

The Trump administration has identified U.S. manufacturing as both an economic and national security priority, aiming to address the decline that has plagued this sector for years. Historical data reveals that the number of manufacturing jobs peaked at 19.6 million in June 1979 but shrank to just 12.8 million by January 2025, a staggering 35% decline, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Small manufacturing businesses, which represent 99% of American manufacturing, have been particularly affected.

In an effort to bolster domestic manufacturing, the Trump administration has implemented tariffs on major trading partners while delaying others pending negotiations. The goal is to encourage companies to manufacture more products within the U.S. to avoid steep increases on imports, ultimately leading to better-paying American jobs in various sectors, including automotive and appliances.

Greenblatt remains optimistic about the potential of these tariffs, claiming that if parity in tariffs could be achieved, he would be in a position to double his workforce.

However, not all small manufacturers share Greenblatt's optimism. While some support the tariffs, others express deep concern about the potential upheaval of the economic order and the risk of pushing the global economy into recession. This uncertainty surrounding the tariffs has created unease among businesses, financial markets, and American households.

Corry Blanc, the owner of Blanc Creatives in Waynesboro, Virginia, which he founded in 2012, voices his worries over the potential fallout from the tariffs. Blanc specializes in handcrafted cookware made from American steel and wood, employing 12 staff members. He sources his steel from a plant in South Carolina and a distributor in Richmond while obtaining wood from local sawmills. Recently, he has received anxious calls from Canadian customers and those from overseas, expressing hesitation over purchasing his American-made products amid tariff uncertainty.

Blanc points out that the infrastructure necessary to ramp up production is insufficient if demand for American-made goods significantly increases. He has weathered the pandemic and other economic challenges but describes the current conditions as the toughest he has ever faced. Theres so much uncertainty and not a lot of direction, he laments.

Similarly, Michael Lyons, founder of Rogue Industries in Standish, Maine, which produces leather goods such as wallets, struggles with the ramifications of the tariffs. His company employs nine people and utilizes leather sourced from both Maine and the Midwest. Despite 80% of his products being made in Maine, he has seen a decline in orders, including a long-time Canadian customer who recently indicated they would no longer be purchasing from him due to tariffs. I did think that was kind of an interesting indicator for him to reach out, Lyons reflects on the situation.

Lyons hopes to expand his business in the future but recognizes that for now, the focus must remain on maintaining the status quo. At the time being, its probably going to be, we hold with what we have, he states.

In contrast, Bayard Winthrop, CEO of American Giant, holds a more positive outlook regarding the tariffs. He founded his clothing company in 2011 after observing the textile industry shift offshore and the ensuing decline in the quality of American-made clothing. Starting with just one sweatshirt, American Giant has grown to offer a diverse range of products, selling mainly direct to consumers and also partnering with retail giants like Walmart. Winthrop sources cotton from Southeastern states and operates factories in North Carolina and Los Angeles.

Reflecting on the historical context, Winthrop notes that in 1985, the majority of clothing purchased in America was produced domestically. However, by 2023, that number plummeted to less than 4%. He expresses hope that the tariffs will usher in a resurgence of American-made products and asserts that the imbalances in trade, particularly with China, must be addressed for the benefit of domestic manufacturers.

While he acknowledges the general wariness surrounding tariffs, Winthrop urges individuals to consider the long-term implications. The idea that were going to be more protective of our domestic marketplace and have an industrial policy that includes manufacturing jobs is not a new idea, he concludes, emphasizing the importance of sustaining American manufacturing jobs.