Amid the onslaught of “fatiguing” tariff news, fastener businesses are struggling to handle the ramifications for costs, end customer impact, and potential reduction in demand for their exports, according to Endries International CEO Michael Knight.

The fastener industry veteran stated on LinkedIn that his company is “navigating what is proving to be one of the trickiest situations that we've ever encountered in our +50 years of business.”

Unlike when tariffs focused mainly on imports from China (section 301), the situation today is “much more comprehensive and has immediate impact on the entire supply chain, including resident domestic sources,” Knight explained. Changes to section 232 tariffs by the Trump administration mean “there isn't any way to side step the cost-input inflation these tariffs are creating.”

Currently the domestic manufacturing base is running close to capacity, so  the increase in demand will “quickly swamp” U.S. suppliers.

“Building incremental capacity takes time, working capital, and people, all of which are already in short supply.”

Likewise, the size and scope of the new tariffs dictate that most importers will have to pass along the costs to customers.

Knight said he sees no easy solution.

“There is no silver bullet.”