The Impact of Tariffs on US Makers

The new global tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump threaten to significantly impact U.S. craftsmen. These individuals and small businesses, engaged in woodworking, metalsmithing, and creating leather goods and other high end, custom goods, often rely on materials and components. Tariffs introduce challenges that affect costs, supply chains, and the broader economic landscape for these artisans and entrepreneurs.

U.S. Makers—including woodworkers, artisans, small-scale manufacturers, and creative professionals—play a pivotal role in the nation's economy. Their contributions span traditional manufacturing and the creative industries, collectively adding trillions of dollars to the U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) and supporting millions of jobs.

Notably, the majority of manufacturing firms in the United States are small businesses. As of 2022, there were 239,265 manufacturing firms, with all but 4,177 considered small (having fewer than 500 employees). Approximately three-quarters of these firms have fewer than 20 employees, highlighting the significant role of small-scale Makers in the manufacturing landscape.

Who Are Makers, and Why Do Tariffs Hit Them So Hard?

To understand why tariffs pose such a significant challenge to U.S. makers, it’s important to look at the full scope of the modern Maker Movement. The graphic below highlights how today’s makers don’t just build things—they fund, prototype, manufacture, market, and sell through a global web of suppliers and

Modern makers rely heavily on international inputs like raw materials, hardware, and custom components. They benefit from low-cost overseas manufacturing, international shipping, and the reach of e-commerce platforms. Tariffs on imported goods—whether tools, parts, or materials—disrupt this ecosystem at nearly every level, from sourcing to sales.

Survey Results: What Makers Are Saying

In a recent Maker Marketplace survey of artisan businesses, 88% of respondents said they expect the new tariffs to increase their production costs. Among them, 38% foresee a significant financial impact, while 50% anticipate at least a slight increase. Only 12% believe the tariffs will have little to no effect—for now.

Respondents reported the most pressure on raw materials, tools and equipment, and pricing margins. Makers cited specific concerns about sourcing exotic hardwoods, custom metal hardware, and imported components that simply aren’t produced in the U.S. at scale.

“Custom project estimating will likely become more difficult and less precise,”

one maker shared. Another noted,

“Some raw materials I use just cannot be found or mined in the United States, so prices will rise unless we can find alternative materials that work as well.”

Still, a few saw a silver lining:

“We’re hopeful that the tariffs may spur more local purchasing from Makers and shift people away from big box stores or Amazon.”

The Bigger Picture: Tariffs as a Turning Point

While tariffs are often positioned as a way to protect domestic manufacturing, they can inadvertently place the heaviest burden on the very businesses policymakers aim to uplift—especially when those businesses are small, specialized, and creative.

For many in the Maker Marketplace community, the biggest challenge isn’t just rising costs—it’s volatility. Uncertainty in pricing, sourcing, and delivery timelines makes it harder to plan and quote custom projects accurately. That affects not only the maker’s bottom line, but also their relationships with clients, suppliers, and collaborators.

And while some are adapting by buying more domestically or passing costs onto customers, others worry that a more expensive marketplace will make handcrafted goods less accessible, weakening the demand that sustains this ecosystem.

Where Do We Go From Here?

As these tariff changes ripple across the industry, Makers are forced to innovate—not just in their craft, but in how they manage logistics, communicate with clients, and stay profitable. It’s a stress test that reveals what many already knew: U.S. Makers are resilient, resourceful, and deeply committed to their work.

The road ahead may involve higher costs and tighter margins, but it’s also an opportunity. An opportunity to educate buyers, to support domestic supply chains, and to double down on the values that set handmade apart: quality, sustainability, creativity, and care.

This moment could be a turning point—not just for policy, but for how we value and protect the future of American craftsmanship.