June 5, 2025
U.S. Doubles Metal Tariffs, Raising Costs for Manufacturers
Light poles, housings, brackets and other assemblies face increased price pressure
U.S. President Donald Trump has doubled tariffs on imported steel and aluminum — from 25% to 50% — a sweeping escalation that could ripple across U.S. manufacturing sectors, including commercial lighting.
Effective June 4, the new tariffs apply to most countries, with the United Kingdom temporarily exempt under the terms of a recent economic deal. The White House cited national security concerns, arguing that continued reliance on subsidized foreign metals weakens domestic industry and defense preparedness. The move was made under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962.
While major U.S. steelmakers welcomed the decision, industries that use steel and aluminum are bracing for cost increases. According to CBS News, cars, appliances, and construction materials are all expected to become more expensive.
For the lighting industry, the impact may be acute. Fixtures, poles, brackets and housings rely heavily on steel and aluminum components. Even manufacturers with U.S.-based operations often source raw materials or subassemblies from Canada and Mexico — both now subject to the full tariff rate. That could hit brands with maquiladora operations in Mexico or supply contracts with Canadian mills.
And even for companies sourcing from domestic metal suppliers, prices are expected to rise. With cheaper imports throttled, demand will shift toward U.S. mills, tightening supply and driving up domestic prices. As KeyBank analyst Philip Gibbs told CNN, domestic producers often respond quickly to price windows by raising rates — especially when they know import competition has been effectively sidelined.
As we reported in recent months, major lighting players already face pressure from China tariffs and other trade actions. These new metal tariffs add another layer of volatility, raising material costs and complicating planning for stock-and-flow electrical supply as well as new construction and retrofit projects.
Lighting people may brace themselves for more industry price adjustments in the coming days and weeks, especially for steel- and aluminum-heavy products like light poles. As of now, there are no exemptions for the lighting sector, and retaliatory trade measures from other countries including Canada and Mexico remain a possibility.
