Fresh numbers from November 2025 show a grim situation—the sector shrank for the ninth month straight, hit hard by shaky trade rules that just won't let up. The Institute for Supply Management dropped the report on December 1. Orders for goods tanked, and factory bosses reported paying more for raw materials like steel and electronics. In places like Detroit and Cleveland, plants that once hummed with activity now run at half speed. It's not just numbers; it's families waiting on paychecks that feel smaller each month.
At the heart of it all? Tariffs slapped on imports by the White House last spring. President Trump's team rolled out a fresh 25% tax on medium- and heavy-duty trucks from abroad, aiming to boost homegrown production. They did ease up a bit on auto parts and engines over the summer, but the back-and-forth has everyone on edge. Supply chains, those invisible threads tying factories to suppliers in China and Mexico, are becoming tangled up. Expenses rise, and small transportation companies are already reducing their staff —hundreds of jobs gone in Ohio alone this fall.
Economists like Stephen Stanley out of New York see no quick fix. He points out there's zero bounce in output since the rules kicked in, just more uncertainty clouding boardrooms. Even Elon Musk, chimed in last week, saying he flat-out told the president these barriers could backfire big time. And he's got a point—higher prices trickle down to your truck at the dealership or the gadgets under the tree.
As 2026 approaches, U.S. manufacturers need a break from the trade conflict. If not, that slowdown might stick around longer than anyone wants.
It's me, @justmythoughts, an ordinary Hive user looking to make the most of the platform. I will appreciate your support. Follow me for more. Thanks, Gracias :)
Posted Using INLEO
This post has been shared on Reddit by @davideownzall through the HivePosh initiative.