Indiana manufacturer sees more imports from China as Trump promises tariffs
WHITESTOWN, Ind. (WISH) — Indiana companies are bracing for the steep tariffs promised by President-elect Donald Trump while preparing to raise prices.
Indianapolis-based Westfield Outdoors, a maker of outdoor products and camping gear, says its partners have increased imports on goods from China ahead of Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20, even buying items ahead of their normal schedule.
The National Retail Federation expects to see similar surges at ports across the United States.
Westfield Outdoors COO Bryan Nelson said, “While we’re all excited for the hopeful improvement of the economy that’s going to come with this administration, the tariffs are scary.”
This week, Trump signaled 25% tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico as well as an additional 10% tariff on goods from China, starting Day 1 in office.
Watching the latest shipment from China offloaded at Westfield Outdoors’ facility in Whitestown, Nelson said the company still expects the incoming administration to eventually impose a 60% tariff on Chinese goods as Trump promised on the campaign trail. Nelson said that would raise retail prices on Westfield Outdoors products a minimum 25%.
“So, if you’re used to buying a chair to go to your son’s soccer game, it was $29.99 last year. Now, it’s (going to be) $39.99,” Nelson said. “You’re probably still going to buy it. But if everything goes up that much, your disposable income is going to go down.”
China is Indiana’s third-largest import partner, supplying about $8 billion worth of goods in 2023.
Many goods, Nelson said, can’t be reliably sourced from U.S. companies. “The manufacturing that used to be here mid-century is gone.”
While retailers could break even on the increased tariffs if they sell more products, Nelson believes manufacturers will be hurt the most by a drop in demand if customers can’t keep up with the cost. He would like to see more targeted tariffs, so the taxes don’t unintentionally impact American companies.
“Instead of using a broad brush, be a little more scalpel-like in what they do to pinpoint where it makes sense instead of just attacking everything,” Nelson said.
Tariff increases imposed on Trump’s first day in office could affect retail prices as soon as early spring. The National Retail Federation estimates Trump’s tariff proposals could cost Americans $78 billion.