Overview
- One in three of 266 Ohio manufacturing leaders report direct sales effects from the tariffs, with average declines of about 16% versus 9% gains and slightly more firms losing sales than gaining.
- Smaller suppliers and proprietary‑product exporters are bearing the brunt, with makers of proprietary goods comprising 73% of companies reporting losses.
- Reshoring is occurring but remains limited, as 9% of firms brought work back to the U.S., most commonly from China, with Europe also a notable source.
- Innovation has slowed as 71% no longer rank new product development among top priorities and roughly a quarter fewer companies launched new products than in 2023.
- Legal and cost pressures remain unresolved, with the Supreme Court reviewing tariffs that lower courts deemed illegal, material costs hindering growth for 40% of firms, and the Tax Foundation estimating about $1,200 in 2025 household costs.