Madison Reporter

Wisconsin businesses have expressed differing opinions on the impact of tariffs imposed by President Trump. The tariffs, which aim to encourage companies to re-shore their supply chains, have led to a divide among members of Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC).

Some manufacturers oppose the tariffs due to reliance on overseas supply chains for specialty and raw materials. "You can’t just snap your fingers and find a new supplier," noted Kurt R. Bauer, Director of Communications & Marketing at WMC. The additional costs from tariffs are affecting profit margins and contributing to inflation.

There is also concern over market access as retaliatory tariffs could make U.S. goods unaffordable abroad. This is particularly troubling for Wisconsin's agricultural and manufacturing sectors that rely heavily on exports.

Conversely, other businesses support the tariffs, citing fairness and potential business opportunities. Many feel frustrated with foreign markets that impose barriers on U.S. goods while benefitting from open access to American markets. "President Trump says other nations don’t play fair, and a sizable number of Wisconsin businesses agree," Bauer stated.

Additionally, some smaller manufacturers see new opportunities due to contracts won as a result of the tariffs. One such business reported gaining a contract previously held by a Chinese supplier.

From WMC’s perspective, concerns focus on supply chain issues, market access challenges with key trading partners like Canada and Mexico, and energy sourcing vulnerabilities—especially regarding initial threats of import tariffs on Canadian energy.

Despite these challenges, there has been no widespread panic among Wisconsin businesses; many have learned resilience through previous disruptions like those experienced during COVID-19.

WMC supports Trump's goal of expanding the manufacturing sector but emphasizes that more comprehensive pro-growth policies are needed beyond just implementing tariffs.