NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Trump administration has positioned U.S. manufacturing as both an "economic and national security" priority, asserting that implementing tariffs will compel companies to shift more production back to the United States. This strategy aims to prevent steep price increases on imports and consequently, create "better-paying American jobs" in industries ranging from automotive to home appliances.

One such supporter of these tariffs is Drew Greenblatt, the president and owner of Marlin Steel Wire Products, a company located in Baltimore, Maryland. His firm specializes in producing baskets and racks utilized by medical device manufacturers, aerospace firms, and food processing companies, with a workforce of 115 employees spread across three states: Maryland, Indiana, and Michigan. Greenblatt sources his steel from various states including Tennessee, Illinois, and Michigan, reinforcing his commitment to domestic production.

Greenblatt expresses frustration over the competitive disadvantages faced by American manufacturers. He argues that countries like Germany impose tariffs and taxes that inflate the prices of American-made products abroad, creating an inequitable marketplace. As he puts it, "Its wildly unfair to the American worker. And this has, by the way, been going on for decades." These sentiments reflect the broader struggle of U.S. manufacturing, which has seen a significant decline over the last several decades. Indeed, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that manufacturing employment peaked at approximately 19.6 million workers in June 1979 but plummeted by 35% to about 12.8 million by January 2025.

The Trump administration believes that tariffs will catalyze an increase in domestic production by making imported goods more expensive, thus encouraging companies to invest in American manufacturing. Greenblatt is optimistic, suggesting that if a fair tariff environment is achieved, he could potentially double his workforce.

However, the sentiments among small manufacturers are not universal. While some business owners see opportunities with the tariffs, others express significant concerns about the accompanying economic uncertainty. Corry Blanc, who founded Blanc Creatives in Waynesboro, Virginia, in 2012, produces handcrafted cookware and employs a staff of 12. Despite his commitment to sourcing materials locally, including steel from South Carolina and wood from nearby sawmills, he is apprehensive. Blanc shares that he has received numerous anxious calls from customers both in Canada and overseas, citing worries about the implications of the administration's tariff policies. He laments the lack of infrastructure necessary to ramp up production should demand for American-made goods increase, stating, "Theres so much uncertainty and not a lot of direction."

Michael Lyons, the founder of Rogue Industries, which produces leather goods in Standish, Maine, mirrors Blancs concerns. While 80% of his products are made domestically using locally sourced leather, around 20% are imported. He too has faced the repercussions of tariff uncertainty, losing a long-time Canadian customer due to the escalating trade tensions. "Hopefully this will pass, and hell be able to come back," Lyons reflected, highlighting the fragile nature of international business relationships in the current climate.

Conversely, Bayard Winthrop, CEO of American Giant, holds a more optimistic view on the potential benefits of tariffs. After witnessing the decline of the American textile industry firsthand, he established his clothing company in 2011, focusing on high-quality, affordable American-made apparel. He sources cotton from the Southeastern U.S. and operates a factory in North Carolina, alongside a joint venture in Los Angeles. Winthrop notes a stark decline in domestic apparel manufacturingstatistics reveal that U.S.-made clothing comprised over 56% of the market in 1991, but plummeted to less than 4% by 2023. He believes tariffs could help rectify this imbalance, particularly in the textile sector.

Despite the challenges presented by the administration's approach, Winthrop encourages a long-term perspective. He acknowledges the volatility and unpredictability of current policies but insists that a focus on bolstering the domestic market should remain a priority. "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 historical context of U.S. manufacturing policy.

As the debate around tariffs continues, the American manufacturing landscape remains a point of contention, with differing opinions reflecting the complex dynamics of global trade and domestic policy.