U.S. Companies Face Pressure From Tariffs, Fuel Costs And Higher Rates

According to CNBC, U.S. companies are being squeezed by tariffs, higher fuel prices and rising interest rates, forcing executives to raise prices, hold more inventory and cut costs. Allen Eden, owner of Original Saw Co. in Britt, Iowa, said a small bracket used for his saw motors jumped from $42 to $87 this summer, and he expects price increases on the company’s saws. JPMorgan Chase global strategy head Dubravko Lakos-Bujas said smaller companies are hit harder because they rely more on short-term lending, while EY-Parthenon chief economist Gregory Daco said sectors with heavy exposure to both higher rates and fuel costs are first in line for pressure. The article said Eastman Chemical CEO Mark Costa described the industry as unable to absorb the increases, while Home Depot CFO Richard McPhail said unexpected energy and raw-material costs would fully offset $730 million in tariff refunds. Lucerne International canceled plans for a $50 million aluminum forging plant in Michigan and shifted U.S. operations toward warehousing and tariff mitigation services. Grupo Antolin filed for Chapter 15 bankruptcy protection in the U.S. in July, citing tariffs, higher raw-material and energy costs, and supply-chain disruptions.