NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Drew Greenblatt, the president and owner of Marlin Steel Wire Products located in Baltimore, Maryland, strongly supports the Trump administrations implementation of tariffs. He believes these measures are essential to restoring balance in a global trading system that he argues has long favored foreign companies over American manufacturers.

Greenblatt's company specializes in the production of wire baskets and racks that serve a variety of sectors, including medical device manufacturers, aerospace industries, and food processing companies. With a workforce of 115 employees, Marlin Steel operates its manufacturing facilities across three states: Maryland, Indiana, and Michigan. The steel used in their products is sourced from various locations, including Tennessee, Illinois, and Michigan.

Currently, Greenblatt emphasizes that competing with foreign-made baskets is a significant challenge. He states that international competitors possess an unfair advantage. For instance, he explains that due to existing European tariffs and taxes, it is far more expensive for German consumers or companies to purchase Marlins wire baskets than for Americans to acquire similar products made in Germany. This disparity leads to an uneven playing field for American manufacturers, Greenblatt argues, stating, Its wildly unfair to the American worker, a situation he contends has persisted for decades.

The Trump administration has identified U.S. manufacturing as an essential pillar of both economic and national security, highlighting the concerning trend of decline in this sector. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics reveals that the number of manufacturing workers peaked at 19.6 million in June 1979, but by January 2025, this figure is projected to drop by 35% to just 12.8 million. Small manufacturers, which constitute 99% of all American manufacturing entities, have been particularly adversely affected.

In a bid to counteract these trends, the administration has imposed tariffs on several major U.S. trading partners while also placing certain tariffs on hold pending negotiation outcomes. The goal of these tariffs, as stated by the administration, is to compel companies to manufacture more products domestically. By doing so, companies would avoid steep price hikes associated with imported goods, which the administration claims will lead to better-paying American jobs in industries like automotive, appliances, and more.

Greenblatt resonates with this perspective, expressing optimism that achieving parity in tariffs could enable him to double his workforce.

However, not all small manufacturing business owners share this enthusiasm. While some support the tariffs, others voice apprehension regarding the potential chaos they could unleash on the existing economic landscape, with fears of pushing the global economy into recession. This uncertainty has led to volatility for businesses, financial markets, and households across the nation.

Corry Blanc, the founder of Blanc Creatives in Waynesboro, Virginia, started his handcrafted cookware company in 2012, utilizing American steel and wood. With a team of 12, Blanc relies on materials sourced from local plants in South Carolina and regional sawmills. He has received numerous anxious calls from customers in Canada and overseas, and he questions the ability to scale production in response to a potential increase in demand for American-made goods. Blanc reflects on the challenges faced during the pandemic, stating, Theres so much uncertainty and not a lot of direction, which he believes is now at an all-time high.

Michael Lyons, the founder of Rogue Industriesa company producing leather goods such as wallets in Standish, Mainealso expresses concerns about the negative ramifications of the tariffs. Operating with a staff of nine, Lyons utilizes leather sourced from Maine and the Midwest. He notes that approximately 80% of his products are made in Maine, while the remaining 20% are imported. Recently, a long-standing Canadian customer informed him that they would no longer purchase from Rogue Industries due to the friction created by tariff policies. Lyons remarks, Hopefully this will pass, and hell be able to come back, highlighting the fragile state of international business relationships during these tumultuous times.

On a more optimistic note, Bayard Winthrop, CEO of American Giant, a clothing company he founded in 2011, sees potential benefits arising out of the current tariff climate. Witnessing the mass offshoring of the textile industry, Winthrop aimed to fill a gap in the market for quality, affordable American-made clothing. Initially launching with a single sweatshirt, his company now offers a broad range of apparel, primarily sold direct-to-consumer, with a partnership with Walmart. He sources cotton from southeastern states, including Georgia, Florida, and North Carolina, and operates a factory in North Carolina alongside a joint venture facility in Los Angeles.

Reflecting on historical shifts, Winthrop notes, People forget that in about 1985 all the clothing that Americans bought was made in America. He points out that in 1991, over half of U.S. apparelapproximately 56%was domestically produced, but that figure has now plummeted to less than 4% by 2023, according to data from the American Apparel and Footwear Association. Winthrop expresses hope that the tariffs will lead to a resurgence of more American-made products in the marketplace. He comments on the alarming trade imbalances, particularly regarding textiles with China, and believes that Trumps policies may help level the playing field for domestic manufacturers.

Despite acknowledging the valid concerns surrounding tariffs, Winthrop encourages a long-term perspective. He observes that while Americans are understandably anxious about tariffsgiven the unpredictable nature of the current administrationtheres a need to focus on broader economic protection and a robust industrial policy that includes American manufacturing jobs. In his view, prioritizing domestic production is a time-honored concept that should be revisited and revitalized in todays economy.