{
  "id": 13659071,
  "title": "Tariffs, millions in extra costs, Iran war: Trump’s policies hammer US firms",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/11/tariffs-millions-in-extra-costs-iran-war-trumps-policies-hammer-us",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-11T06:10:19.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "South China Morning Post",
    "slug": "south-china-morning-post",
    "url": "https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3370478/tariffs-millions-extra-costs-iran-war-trumps-policies-hammer-us-firms"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "For Doug Rende, CEO of Shapes Unlimited, President Donald Trump's tariffs have led to millions of dollars in additional annual costs for his Ohio-based aluminium product manufacturer. Rende expressed frustration with the situation, noting that it has made shipments more expensive, particularly due to the ongoing Iran war. As the midterm election approaches, Rende worries about the lack of trust in the administration and the governmental process, as well as the role of Congress in reining in executive power.\n\nSince Trump's return to the presidency in January 2025, he has used executive authority to impose tariffs on various products and countries, including aluminium, steel, and automobiles. These duties have not only affected Shapes Unlimited but have also impacted other American producers who face higher barriers due to Trump's trade policies. While some manufacturers benefit as their foreign competitors face increased costs, others struggle with ballooning costs and persistent uncertainty.\n\nTrump's trade disputes with Canada and Iran have further deepened concerns. The escalating tariffs on aluminium have surged from 10% during Trump's first presidency to 25% and then 50% last year, resulting in up to $4.5 million to $5 million in additional costs for Rende's company this year alone. Transport fees have also increased, with surcharges of up to $6,500 per container for goods from suppliers due to fuel price hikes caused by the Iran war.\n\nAs a result, Rende has paused recruitment for new jobs and invested in more robotic assembly to cope with the increased costs. Sam Miller, a fellow Ohio manufacturer, has also faced challenges from Trump's trade wars, paying tariffs on imported materials from Asia while finding it harder to expand into Canada because of trade tensions. He has received some refunds after the Supreme Court struck down many of Trump's duties, but the President has since reinstated many of them.\n\nMiller's factory in Warren, Ohio, produces kitchen and bathroom products, and he has been affected on both fronts. He believes that there will be a shift away from Republican views as firms grapple with the impact of these policies. Deteriorating US-Canada ties have also added to Miller's challenges, with both countries imposing tariffs on each other's products after trade negotiations collapsed in August.\n\nGuy Coviello, president of the Youngstown Warren Regional Chamber, is closely monitoring tariffs, the Iran war, and immigration, as these issues are a mixed bag but overall negative for firms. Ohio's biggest export market, Canada, accounts for a third of Ohio's exports. Coviello notes that some firms have lost customers or had to downsize, and the Iran war has raised freight costs and hit aluminium supplies due to drone attacks in the Middle East. While Coviello supports tariffs for critical items such as defence and medical industry, he cautions against imposing them on non-critical products that are not available in the US.",
  "summary": "For Doug Rende, who runs an aluminium product manufacturer in the US state of Ohio, President Donald Trump’s tariffs have meant millions of dollars more in annual costs – and recently, the Iran war has made shipments even more expensive. Rende is CEO at Shapes Unlimited, one of many American producers smarting from Trump’s economic policies as the midterm election approaches. “Frustrating would…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}