Tariff Turbulence: How Global Trade Policies Are Shaping the Crane Industry in 2025

By Crane Hub Global | April 18, 2025

As global trade tensions escalate, the crane industry finds itself at the crossroads of international politics and industrial supply chains. With a growing patchwork of tariffs—particularly between the United States, China, and the European Union—manufacturers, rental companies, and end-users of cranes are navigating a complex and shifting economic landscape. The impact of these trade policies is already rippling through every corner of the industry.

📈 U.S. Tariffs Take Aim at Chinese Cranes - Affecting the Crane Industry

The most headline-grabbing move came recently from the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), which proposed tariffs of up to 100% on Chinese-made ship-to-shore (STS) cranes. Additional duties ranging from 20% to 100% on other cargo handling equipment, including tank containers and trailers, are also under review. A public hearing is slated for May 19 to evaluate the economic impact and national security implications of these tariffs.

In parallel, the U.S. will begin imposing new port fees on Chinese-built ships starting October 14, 2025. These fees—starting at $18 per net ton or $120 per container—could cost as much as $1.8 million per vessel. These policies are part of a broader initiative to reduce American dependence on Chinese manufacturing, particularly in critical infrastructure sectors.

🧱 Building Pressure on Raw Materials

The tariffs aren’t just targeting finished cranes. Core inputs like steel and aluminum—the backbone of crane construction—are also subject to heightened duties, directly increasing manufacturing costs. For OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers), the added expense translates into higher sticker prices. For crane buyers and rental companies, that means tightened margins and delayed purchase decisions.

🔁 Supply Chain Realignment

Manufacturers are being forced to rethink long-established supply chains. Components that once flowed freely from China are now being sourced elsewhere—often at higher costs or with longer lead times. As a result, project schedules and equipment delivery timelines are under increased stress.

🛠️ Refurbishment Rises in Popularity

With new equipment becoming more expensive and lead times growing, refurbishment is gaining new appeal. Programs like Liebherr’s Transform, Manitowoc’s EnCORE, and similar initiatives are experiencing higher demand as crane owners opt to modernize existing fleets instead of investing in brand-new machines.

🌍 Global Response: EU and China React

The European Union has indicated it will not sit idly by. While not targeting cranes directly, EU officials are exploring retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods in response to American steel and aluminum duties. Negotiations are underway, but tensions are high, and retaliatory action remains a real possibility.

Meanwhile, China has already struck back, imposing tariffs of up to 84% on a variety of U.S. products. This has hindered U.S. crane exports to Asia and created a more fragmented global equipment market.

📉 Economic Outlook and Trade Forecasts

The World Trade Organization (WTO) has revised its global merchandise trade forecast downward, now predicting a 0.2% decline in 2025. The slowdown is directly tied to tariff uncertainty and constrained investment across industries—including construction and heavy equipment.

China’s own economic outlook has also dimmed, with GDP growth forecasts cut to 4%, in part due to weakened exports and retaliatory tariffs.

🚧 Industry Implications

• Increased Equipment Costs: Buyers face higher prices across the board—from materials to full crane units.

• Project Delays: Longer procurement times and sourcing challenges may push project schedules.

• Investment Hesitation: Many companies are delaying fleet upgrades, waiting to see how trade policies evolve.

• Shift to Domestic & Non-Chinese Suppliers: Companies are restructuring sourcing to avoid tariff-heavy countries.

🔍 Looking Ahead

As the global economy braces for more trade disruptions, the crane industry will need to remain agile. For manufacturers, it's a time to innovate supply strategies. For fleet owners, it's an opportunity to rethink lifecycle costs. And for end-users, navigating this tariff-fueled terrain will require careful planning and strategic sourcing.

One thing is certain: cranes will keep lifting, but the costs—and the calculus behind them—are changing.