Why Manufacturers Are Reshoring: Navigating Tariffs and Trade Policy in 2025
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In 2025, global supply chains are being redefined. New tariffs, shifting trade agreements, and growing geopolitical uncertainty are prompting a pivotal question for manufacturers: is it time to bring production and sourcing back home?
For many, the answer is yes. Many are investigasting reshoring for the purposes of supply chain stability, cost control, and long-term growth.
The Tariff and Trade Policy Landscape
In early 2025, the U.S. government announced a wave of new tariffs on imported steel, aluminum, and key manufacturing components—particularly from regions like China and Southeast Asia. While the intent is to bolster domestic production, the immediate impact has been rising costs and increased risk for companies reliant on international supply chains.
Tariffs are unpredictable, but your supply chain doesn’t have to be. The more localized your inputs, the more control you may have over pricing, quality, and delivery.
The more localized your inputs, the more control you may have over pricing, quality, and delivery.Key Drivers for Reshoring
"Ryerson Advanced Processing isn’t just a supplier, we help manufacturers navigate market changes while ensuring efficiency, cost control, and quality,” says Mike Nauman, general manager, Ryerson Advanced Processing.
Reshoring isn’t just a reaction, it’s a recalibration. Here is what fuels the shift, and how Ryerson supports each step:
1. Cost Control
Tariffs can erode any cost advantage gained from offshore sourcing. When you factor in freight, customs, delays, and rework due to quality issues, domestic sourcing becomes not just competitive—but often more economical in the long run.
Ryerson Advantage: Ryerson Advanced Processing offers bundled services—including sourcing, cutting, machining, welding, and painting—all under one roof. This reduces handoffs, transportation costs, and overhead, helping manufacturers maintain tighter cost control.
2. Supply Chain Resilience
From port closures and shipping container shortages to pandemics and natural disasters, recent years have exposed the fragility of global supply chains. Reshoring provides a way to simplify and de-risk operations.
Ryerson Advantage: With a network of over 100 locations across North America, Ryerson Advanced Processing ensures localized material availability and processing. This reduces dependency on international shipping and helps customers respond faster to changing demand.
3. Quality and Compliance
Domestic suppliers typically adhere to more rigorous quality and environmental standards. This simplifies regulatory compliance and reduces the risk of receiving out-of-spec materials.
Ryerson Advantage: RAP delivers high-precision processing and traceable quality documentation for every order, supporting compliance with domestic manufacturing standards across industries like aerospace, defense, and medical.
4. Speed to Market
Shorter supply chains translate into faster lead times and greater responsiveness—critical advantages in today’s on-demand economy.
Ryerson Advantage: By consolidating multi-stage fabrication processes—such as blanking, bending, machining, and assembly—Ryerson Advanced Processing eliminates delays between vendors, compresses lead times, and accelerates product delivery to market.
The Opportunity for Manufacturers
Nauman points to a recent customer example in which a large retail/industrial safety solutions provider was producing material using suppliers located in Mexico and India.
When its OEM began requiring domestic material for production, Ryerson was able to leverage its resources to create a supply chain that uses both internal and external assets. This included tube laser, machining, welding, and more.
Reshoring isn’t just about avoiding tariffs. It’s about creating a smarter supply chain—one built for speed, flexibility, and long-term growth. Manufacturers that make the move now can outpace competitors still tied to slower, risk-prone global models.
Reshoring isn’t just about avoiding tariffs. It’s about creating a smarter supply chain—one built for speed, flexibility, and long-term growth. Ryerson Advanced Processing acts as a strategic partner in this transition. By offering integrated supply chain solutions—including localized sourcing, processing, and logistics, Ryerson helps manufacturers navigate the shift with confidence.
As trade and tariff dynamics continue to evolve, you need the right suppliers and processing strategies in place. This can go a long way towards helping manufacturers build resilient supply chains that are ready for anything.
Are you looking to build a resilient supply chain in the face of ongoing tariff uncertainty? Join an interactive discussion with the Ryerson Advanced Processing team around such topics as near-shoring strategies, manufacturing alternatives, and key solutions to mitigate risks and ensure continuity in your supply chain operations.
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