Are tariffs causing fluid power companies to rethink business strategies?

Hydraulics

How is the Fluid Power Industry Responding to Tariffs?

April 10, 2025

New tariffs are in place for many major U.S. trading partners. Take our quick survey to let us know how the fluid power industry is adapting.

Sara Jensen

*Editor's note: This piece was updated April 9, 2025 with new information.

Tariffs have been top of mind for many businesses, including those in the fluid power industry, since President Trump first announced his plans to implement them in February 2025. Over the past 2 months there has been a lot of uncertainty caused by swift implementation and then retraction of tariffs, as well as the various rates proposed.

Those working in the hydraulics and pneumatics sector have noted the difficulty this situation has presented in making business plans in terms of sourcing goods as well as whether or not pricing for customers will need to be adjusted to absorb the increased costs companies will face.

On March 12, tariffs on steel and aluminum imported into the U.S. were implemented. Since then, Power & Motion has been running a quick poll to gauge readers' thoughts on the current tariff situation; of those who have responded, 88% say it is having a negative impact on the fluid power industry.

A bar graph showing 88% of respondents to a survey view tariffs as negative to the fluid power industry — The majority of Power & Motion readers indicate the current tariff situation is having a negative impact on the fluid power industry.

Read More on Recent Tariffs

For further details on the most recent tariff announcements, check out these articles from other publications at Endeavor Business Media.

Trump Declares 90 Day Reciprocal Tariff Pause Except for China from IndustryWeek

Trump Unveils Sweeping Global Tariffs from IndustryWeek

Trade groups condemn latest Trump tariffs from Plastics Machinery & Manufacturing

JCB to Double Size of New U.S. Plant in Response to Trump’s Tariffs from Rental Equipment Register

U.S. Government to Impose Baseline 10% Tariff on All Countries and Reciprocal Tariffs from Ratchet + Wrench

25% Tariffs Coming for All Imported Cars in April: DC Watch from IndustryWeek

Further tariff announcements have also been made in recent weeks. A 25% tariff on all cars and light trucks imported into the U.S. starts April 3 while on April 2 the president announced tariffs on goods imported from the majority of the U.S.'s trading partners, with China and Europe experiencing the highest rates.

However, now these most recent tariffs have been adjusted again. On April 9, President Trump announced a 10% universal rate will be placed on all goods imported into the U.S. and those coming from China will be taxed at 125%. Per CNN, goods from Canada and Mexico will be taxed at 25% unless they are compliant with the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USCMA).

With this current tariff environment, Power & Motion would like to hear from you, our readers working in the fluid power industry how you're adapting to the situation.

Take our brief survey below or feel free to reach out to me directly at [email protected].

About the Author

Sara Jensen | Executive Editor, Power & Motion

Sara Jensen is executive editor of Power & Motion, directing expanded coverage into the modern fluid power space, as well as mechatronic and smart technologies. She has over 15 years of publishing experience. Prior to Power & Motion she spent 11 years with a trade publication for engineers of heavy-duty equipment, the last 3 of which were as the editor and brand lead. Over the course of her time in the B2B industry, Sara has gained an extensive knowledge of various heavy-duty equipment industries — including construction, agriculture, mining and on-road trucks —along with the systems and market trends which impact them such as fluid power and electronic motion control technologies.

You can follow Sara and Power & Motion via the following social media handles:

X (formerly Twitter): @TechnlgyEditor and @PowerMotionTech

LinkedIn: @SaraJensen and @Power&Motion

Facebook: @PowerMotionTech

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