Trump’s tariffs to shake printer industry?
February 3, 2025
Fresh trade levies hit China, Mexico, and Canada, sparking uncertainty in print supply chains.
The latest round of tariffs imposed by the United States on key trading partners is set to disrupt global supply chains, and if printers and consumables are included, manufacturers, remanufacturers, and consumers alike could face fresh economic headwinds.
For Chinese printer manufacturers, a potential 10% tariff presents a significant challenge. Many components and consumables, including toner and ink cartridges, originate in China, and higher costs could trickle down to consumers. The impact would be particularly pronounced for third-party consumables, which often compete on price against OEM cartridges. Companies like Ninestar, a major Chinese aftermarket supplier, would face difficulties maintaining competitive pricing in the US market. Further complicating matters, Chinese manufacturers have limited room to absorb these extra costs due to tight margins.
A tougher blow, however, could land on manufacturers and remanufacturers with operations in Mexico if a 25% tariff were applied. Lexmark, Konica Minolta, and Clover Imaging Group all have large-scale manufacturing and remanufacturing facilities in Mexico. Recent US Customs rulings had designated certain Lexmark and Konica Minolta products as having Mexican origin, allowing them to benefit from trade agreements. However, if these products are subjected to tariffs, businesses must reassess their supply chains and pricing strategies. Clover Imaging Group, which operates a 560,000-square-foot facility in Mexicali, could see remanufactured cartridges exported to the US facing the full force of the tariff, potentially eroding price advantages over new-build cartridges.
The question remains whether printer OEMs would pass on these costs to consumers or absorb them in their margins. Given past industry reactions, price hikes seem likely. The last time the Trump administration imposed broad tariffs, consumer prices rose, and businesses scrambled to reconfigure supply chains. The Congressional Budget Office estimated that tariffs reduced US GDP by 0.5% in 2020, while consumers faced an average annual cost increase of $1,277 per household.
During his first term, Trump defended his tariff strategy as a means to protect American industries, famously stating: “Tariffs will make our country much richer than it is today.” However, evidence suggested the opposite: manufacturing job losses, higher costs for businesses, and retaliatory tariffs from affected countries. The same risks apply today, with Canada and Mexico already hinting at countermeasures. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has vowed to respond with equivalent tariffs on US goods, while Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has signaled both tariff and non-tariff retaliatory measures.
With the printer industry already grappling with shifting market trends and regulatory pressures, the new tariffs—if applied to printers and consumables—could further destabilize an already fragile supply chain. The coming months will reveal whether manufacturers can weather the storm—or whether consumers will ultimately bear the cost of these latest trade wars.
Categories : World Focus
