President Donald Trump’s aggressive tariff strategy is delivering a major boost to American manufacturers, with new orders and job growth climbing as companies move away from Chinese suppliers. A 145% tariff on Chinese goods has made American-made products more competitive, forcing many firms to reshore operations and invest in U.S.-based production.
Toolmaker Jergens Inc., based in the Midwest, is operating around the clock to meet rising demand. “We are running 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” said company president Jack Schron. The company is overwhelmed with orders from clients looking to avoid the steep import tariffs, alongside steady demand from the defense sector.
In Ohio, Grand River Rubber & Plastics reported that longtime clients who had previously moved operations to China are now returning. Two former buyers came back within days of each other, and new customers have already placed large orders. The new business could represent a $5 million annual increase in revenue.
The surge in American manufacturing activity aligns with a noticeable downturn in Chinese factory production. Trump’s administration expected the tariffs to reverse decades of offshoring and promised American workers would reap the rewards. “Jobs and factories will come roaring back,” Trump said in April. “We will supercharge our domestic industrial base.”
While some economists argue the tariffs could lead to higher consumer prices, manufacturers are optimistic. Louisiana-based SafeSource Direct, which produces medical gloves, has expanded operations from two production lines to eight, each churning out more than 20,000 gloves an hour. Partner Steve Mott told The Wall Street Journal that prices are expected to fall as scale and efficiency increase. “We think we can get extremely close to Asian prices,” Mott said.
Trump’s economic approach is reshaping global supply chains and pushing manufacturers to bet on American labor and infrastructure. As more firms return, the long-term impact may fulfill the administration’s promise to restore American industry and protect national economic independence.
