Veryable is your trusted source for information and insights as you navigate the upcoming policy changes and regulatory shifts driving a U.S. Manufacturing Renaissance under the new administration.
Every election marks a new chapter in America, presenting both opportunities and challenges. With Donald Trump back in the White House, and the Republican Party in control of both the Senate and House of Representatives by a slim majority, significant changes can be expected in the manufacturing and distribution sectors.
Below is a brief summary of some of the expected policy changes, and their likely implications.
Since taking office, Trump has already implemented a series of tariffs aimed at reducing trade imbalances, boosting domestic production, and pressuring foreign governments to renegotiate trade agreements.
Details:
China Tariffs: A 10% tariff applying to products from China however went into effect February 4th. Afterwards, China firmly rejected the U.S. rationale linking tariffs to fentanyl control and announced retaliatory tariffs shortly after. Starting February 10, China implemented a 15% border tax on U.S. coal and liquefied natural gas imports, alongside a 10% tariff on American crude oil, agricultural machinery, and large-engine vehicles. Additionally on March 4th, an additional 10% tariff went into effect on China. China has since annnounced plans to retaliate and will impose additional tariffs of up to 15% on U.S. products like chicken, wheat and corn, as well as 10% on products like soybeans, pork, beef and fruit. While the Trump administration has not yet met with Chinese leaders to begin any sort of negotiations, he has recently hinted that Chinese President Xi might make a visit to Washington DC in the near future.
Canada & Mexico Tariffs: A 25% tariff on goods from Canada and Mexico went into effect on Tuesday, March 4th. Energy resources from Canada have a lower 10% tariff. Immediately after these tariffs went into effect, Canada announced that they would retaliate and implement a 25% tariff against $155 billion of American goods – starting with tariffs on $30 billion worth of goods immediately, and on the remaining $125 billion on American products within 3 weeks. Mexico on the other hand announced that they would issue their own retaliatory tariffs, but has not yet outlined the specifics.
On March 5th, after a meeting with leaders from Ford, GM, & Stellantis, the Trump Administration announced a one month tariff exemption for automakers.
On March 6th, after a phone call with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, the Trump Administration announced they will exempt Mexico & Canada from tariffs on USMCA goods until April 2nd.
Despite this exemption, Canada implemented a series of retaliatory tariffs on $21 billion USD worth of American goods like orange juice, peanut butter, coffee, appliances, footwear, cosmetics, motorcycles and certain pulp and paper products. Additionally, Ontario Premier Doug Ford implemented a 25% tax on electricity exports to the U.S., however he quickly walked the electricity tax back after Trump threatened to double the tariffs on Canadian steel & aluminum.
Section 232 Tariffs: Effective on Wednesday, March 12th, a 25% tariff will be applied to all steel & steel derivatives, as well as aluminum & aluminum derivatives regardless of country of origin. Unlike the original Section 232 tariffs from 2018, there will be no country-specific exclusions, however existing exclusions will be in place until their expiration date. These tariffs will also "stack" on top of other tariffs. Additionally, while Trump stated on March 11th that he would double the tariffs on Canada in retaliation for the tax increase on energy exports to the U.S., bringing the total tariff to 50%, he quickly walked this back after the Provincial Government of Ontario agreed to cancel the electricity tax. Shortly after these tariffs took effect however, the EU announced they would retaliate by implementing tariffs in mid-April on American beef, poultry, motorcycles, bourbon, peanut butter and jeans, similar to how they retaliated in 2018. In response, Trump announced plans on March 13th to impose 200% tax on all alcohol imports from the EU. Canada, on the other hand announced it will place 25% reciprocal tariffs on steel products, and also raise taxes on a host of items such as tools, computers & servers, display monitors, sports equipment, and cast-iron products. Other countries that are key US suppliers of metals, including the UK, Australia, Mexico and Brazil, held off on any immediate retaliation for now. On Monday March 17th, the Trump Administration reiterated that no new exemptions will be granted for these tariffs.
Reciprocal Tariffs: On Thursday, February 13th, President Trump announced his "Fair and reciprocal plan", which details tariffs that would tax imports from other countries at the same rate they tax imports. As far as timing, the Trump administration has repeatedly stated plans to implement these tariffs on April 2nd, which Trump has dubbed "Liberation Day". Additionally, the Trump administration isn’t necessarily planning on increasing tariffs on a line-by-line basis. Instead, for each country, various agencies will examine both tariff and nontariff solutions, taking into account the effects of each in order to calculate a single additional tariff rate. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has also stated that certain countries may be able to avoid these tariffs if they come to the negotiating table ready to drop their own tariffs. The EU actually has already stated plans to do, and reports on Friday March 28th indicate that they are preparing a list of concessions they are willing to make to secure the partial removal of the tariffs.
Sector-Specific Tariffs:
Automotive: On Wednesday, March 26th, President Trump announced he would be implementing a 25% vehicle tariff. This tariff will be applied to all imported sedans, SUVs, crossovers, minivans, cargo vans and light trucks, as well as key automobile parts. Additionally, the proclamation includes a process to expand the tariffs on parts if needed. In addition to helping boost domestic production, the Trump administration feels that revenue collected from this tariff could significantly help reduce the national debt.
While the timing is not yet clear, President Trump has also stated and reaffirmed plans to implement a 25% tariff on pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, and lumber. For context, the U.S. is the world's largest importer for all 3 of these categories.
Trump has also stated plans to increase these tariffs over time, but first wants to give companies a chance to reshore production. Additionally, Trump hasn't yet clarified how these tariffs will interact with the reciprocal tariffs and whether or not they will stack on top of each other.
Secondary Tariffs
On Monday March 24th, in an effort to hold Venezuela accountable for refusing to hold fair elections and curb the flow of Tren de Aragua gang members into the U.S., President Trump signed an executive order stating that he would be implementing a 25% tariff on all goods from any countries that imports Venezuelan oil,whether directly from Venezuela or indirectly through third parties. The executive order specifies that these tariffs will lapse one year after a country ceases importing Venezuelan oil, possibly sooner if officials deem it appropriate. With Venezuela’s largest export being oil, this move by Trump should work out in his favor. Other than Venezuela itself, China will also be impacted, who as of 2024 was the largest importer of Venezuelan oil. It’s also important to know that this tariff will stack on top of any existing tariffs, meaning if China continues to import Venezuelan oil, the Chinese goods America imports will be subject to a 45% tariff, while steel and aluminum would face a 70% duty.
Implications:
Tariffs on critical materials will drive up production costs for manufacturers, and if they are unable to quickly pivot and identify alternative suppliers in domestic or non-tariffed markets, this will force them to choose between absorbing the excess costs or passing them to consumers, both of which will negatively impact price competitiveness.
To prepare for these changes while maintaining cost-effectiveness and compliance with new trade policies, manufacturers and distributors dependent on foreign materials should pursue reshoring or near shoring strategies.
These tariffs will also boost demand for domestic goods, and to capitalize on this and grow their market share, U.S. manufacturers will need to move quickly and increase their production capacity.
Based on his promises, his history, and his advisors, Trump’s administration can be expected to revamp its protectionist approach by offering new and enhanced tax breaks and subsidies to boost domestic production.
Details:
Enhanced Tax Credits: Trump’s proposed policies aim to reverse the trend of financial pressures overshadowing R&D priorities, offering expanded R&D tax credits and allowing businesses to fully expense the cost of heavy machinery and equipment within the first year. There has also been talk of direct subsidies for companies building new manufacturing plants.
Sector-Specific Focus: Industries considered integral to national security like pharmaceuticals, rare earth metals, and semiconductor production may receive targeted support.
Implications:
Enhanced tax credits would alleviate much of the financial burden of innovation, enabling manufacturers to invest in cutting-edge technologies and infrastructure without compromising their bottom lines. For small and medium-sized manufacturers, this is particularly impactful.
Additionally, these incentives could lead to reduced operating costs and increased competitiveness for U.S. manufacturers and distributors, which could trigger a massive surge in domestic production. This would also boost other industries like construction and logistics, and create increased demand for skilled manufacturing labor which is likely to drive wages up.
Under the new administration, tax policy will be used to drive growth in the manufacturing and distribution sectors. During his campaign, Trump promised to make provisions of the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act (TCJA) permanent.
Details:
Full Expensing Provisions: These provisions will allow businesses to immediately deduct the full cost of certain investments in new or improved technology, or infrastructure, which could trigger a surge in domestic infrastructure investment.
Interest Deductions: It’s expected that the regulations around interest deductions that were in place up until 2022 will be reinstated. Specifically, Trump promised voters shortly before the election that he’ll treat interest paid on loans for domestically produced vehicles like the deduction for interest on home mortgages on federal tax returns. This would help to discourage Chinese automakers from attempting to sell vehicles in the United States.
Lowered Corporate Tax Rates: In his first term, Trump lowered the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% via the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TJCA). Now in his second term, Trump seeks to lower it even further, and has proposed a rate of 15% for domestic manufacturers.
Territorial Tax Adjustments: There will likely be changes implemented to ensure multinational corporations are taxed in a more favorable manner; this would discourage them from shifting profits from parent companies or subsidiaries in high-tax jurisdictions to subsidiaries in low-tax jurisdictions.
Implications:
If corporate tax rates become significantly lower than for other structures, this could trigger a shift on what legal form of business structure new and existing companies decide to use.
Tax reductions will also incentivize companies to reshore operations and strengthen domestic supply chains. Tariffs on imports, paired with these tax incentives, may compel businesses to reevaluate global footprints and consider U.S.-based production.
Additionally, tax savings will allow companies to channel cash into automation, facility improvements, or other productivity-boosting technologies.For manufacturers, these reforms present a pivotal moment. American companies positioned stand to benefit immensely, while others may find it increasingly necessary to localize operations to capitalize on these tax breaks. To prepare for these changes, businesses should assess their tax strategies now.
In an effort to reduce compliance burdens for manufacturers and distributors, The Trump administration plans to roll back regulations, with an emphasis in the areas of energy, manufacturing and real estate, especially related to Corporate Transparency Efforts and ESG.
Details:
Environmental Regulations: Changes in this category will likely include loosening emissions standards and simplifying permit processes for factory expansions, which would be a major cost-saver for manufacturers. Additionally, Trump promised during his campaign to roll back other green regulations that currently hinder oil and gas drilling and coal mining. If enacted, these deregulatory measures could significantly boost shares in traditional energy sectors.
Labor Rules: The Trump administration’s anticipated direction on labor policy represents a stark departure from the previous administration’s stance on independent contractors. Once the incoming administration takes office in January, they will quickly drop the previous USDOL’s defenses to the employer groups and roll back the rule through rulemaking to the Trump independent contractor rule - a rule that makes it much easier to classify workers as independent contractors.
Implications:
A reduction in regulations for manufacturers and distributors could lead to significant cost reductions, and more cash on hand for reinvestment.
With regards to the labor regulation rollbacks, previously risk-averse legal and HR departments will recalibrate and have an opportunity to push forward huge value to their companies by utilizing 1099 workers. This is especially true in manufacturing where we can expect the Trump administration to incentivize onshoring which in turn will bring a huge increase in production and in demand for skilled labor. Additionally, adjustments to rules under OSHA and similar agencies could aim to lower compliance costs and reduce reporting requirements.
Significant shifts in U.S. international trade policy are expected, driven primarily by Trump’s concerns about trade deficits with key trading partners, his stated goal of moving overseas manufacturing back to the United States, and his willingness to use trade actions as a coercive tool.
Details:
Revisions to USMCA: The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), requires a joint review by July 2026 and agreement by all three parties to continue. However, with the recent inauguration of Donald Trump, this review will likely become more of a full-fledged renegotiation as the new administration seeks to reshape North American trade, migration, and security, as well as address China’s growing influence in regional supply chains.
Bilateral Trade Negotiations: In order to counterbalance Chinese influence, Trump is likely to pursue agreements with other countries in Asia such as India, South Korea, and Vietnam.
Implications:
In the short term, these potential trade renegotiations could create disruptions and force businesses to adjust distribution & sourcing channels. In the long term however, more favorable conditions for American companies will lead to greater market share. Either way, manufacturers and distributors will need to be able to adapt quickly to these changes, especially if new tariffs or trade agreements impact costs.
Throughout his campaign, President Donald Trump repeatedly stated plans for shutting down the US-Mexico border and building a wall, mass deportations of illegal immigrants, reversals of Biden-era actions, and the undoing of programs such as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Temporary Protected Status (TPS).
Details:
Deportations: The Trump administration has begun to implement its plan for deportations across the U.S., with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) instructed to meet a quota of 1,200 to 1,500 arrests per day. The administration also plans to use punitive measures—including withholding federal funds against sanctuary cities and other localities and states that have declared that their local law enforcement and other institutions will not collaborate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The administration has also directed federal prosecutors to investigate and even bring criminal charges against state and local officials who refuse to cooperate with ICE.
US-Mexico Border Closure: 36 hours after Trump issued an executive order directing the Department of Defense to address the situation at the border, Acting Secretary of Defense Robert Salesses announced that the Pentagon will be deploying 1,500+ active-duty troops to the southern border as well as air and intelligence assets in order to augment enforcement operations in the region. With 2,500 active-duty personnel already in the region, the additional 1,500 troops will represent a 60% increase in active-duty forces. Five hundred U.S. Marines and sailors have also been deployed from Camp Pendleton to the southern border to assist in enforcement operations there. As a result, illegal border crossings are already down 93% according to Border Czar Tom Homan. Trump has also stated plans to resume building a border wall, and this has already started in New Mexico, Texas, and California.
Implications: Businesses dependent on illegal labor will need to quickly identify alternative sources that have thorough vetting processes for workers and can be deployed immediately with no waiting or red tape. In the event of an ICE raid where workers are arrested en masse like what we’ve already seen in the past few weeks, there won’t be any time to wait around and brainstorm solutions. Businesses will need to act fast in order to maintain business continuity, avoid having to overrely on overtime, and retain key customers.
The same is also true in the event that a competitor’s business is raided by ice. If and when this happens, their customers will likely look for other suppliers who actually have the workforce capacity to deliver on their commitments. In this case, there won’t be weeks to go and hire new workers, and businesses will need to be able to immediately scale up to capitalize on the opportunity.
While we don’t yet fully know for sure what’s in store for Trump's 2nd term, from what we've already seen in the first 9 weeks, it’s safe to say that his administration will bring profound changes to the economic and regulatory landscape of the United States. Each potential change creates both opportunities and challenges, and those that will thrive are those that are agile and can adapt before external circumstances force them to.
By partnering with Veryable, manufacturers and distributors gain access to a team of operational strategists and powerful technology that not only helps enhance operational efficiency and minimize overhead costs, but positions them to navigate these changes with confidence. With a flexible workforce in place, businesses can respond immediately to changing market conditions, minimize fixed cost exposure, and grow their market share with infinite flexible capacity.
To learn more about how Veryable can help you thrive amidst these changes, check out our new U.S. Manufacturing Today podcast as well as our assortment of blog articles.
As more changes take place, we'll continue to update this page and add new blog articles, case studies, and guides.
Hosted by Veryable’s Head of Reindustrialization & Growth Innovation Matt Horine, this podcast intends to help you cut through the noise that you’re seeing across constructed narratives, misleading headlines, and provide clarity around these once-in-a-generation policy shifts. We’ll also be featuring interviews from current operations professionals to hear how they’re navigating this rapidly changing economic and regulatory environment.
Starting on March 18th, we'll be releasing new episodes each Tuesday at 6AM CST. To ensure you don't miss out, make sure to subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Pocket Casts, Spotify, or YouTube.
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Amidst policy changes, uncertainty is inevitable. If you need further guidance or have any questions on any of these topics, we've got you covered - our team has over a century of combined experience in the manufacturing and distribution sectors.
