Updated: 10:00 a.m. CT March 12, 2025
How to Stay Informed
• For the latest updates on tariffs, please refer to your preferred news source.
• For questions about impacts to your business, please reach out to your Border States Account Manager.
• For analysis on impacts to the commodity market, sign up for the Commodity Update newsletter. The next update will be sent Monday, March 10.
• For insights on broader supply chain impacts, sign up for the Supply Chain Update newsletter, which will be sent next on Monday, March 17.
Information in this fact sheet is subject to change.
Key Facts
February 1: President Trump announced plans to impose a 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico, a 10% tariff on imports from China and a 10% tariff on energy sources from Canada, effective February 4, citing national security concerns related to illegal immigration and drug trafficking.
February 3: Canada and Mexico negotiated a 30-day pause on the tariffs that would have taken effect February 4.
February 4: China responded with retaliatory tariffs that take effect Monday, February 10.
February 8: President Trump told reporters he plans to announce 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports to the U.S. on February 10, with additional reciprocal tariffs expected later in the week.
February 10: In the evening, President Trump announced he will impose 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act. The tariffs are expected to take effect in March.
February 13: President Trump signed a memo to his cabinet titled the Fair and Reciprocal Plan, directing the Office of Management and Budget director to conduct a country-by-country assessment within 180 days to evaluate and adjust trade relations.
February 25: President Donald Trump ordered an investigation into potential tariffs on copper imports under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. Potential tariff rates will be determined by the investigation. The president also announced that starting in March, tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico are going forward, and reciprocal tariffs are also moving forward as soon as April.
March 3: President Donald Trump confirmed that on Tuesday, March 4, the U.S. will impose a 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico after a one-month delay, along with an additional 10% tariff on imports from China.
March 4: 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico, along with an additional 10% tariff on imports from China, took effect at midnight. Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum shared plans to announce retaliatory tariffs on Sunday, March 9, and China announced retaliatory tariffs of up to 15% starting Monday, March 10. Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced 25% retaliatory tariffs.
March 6: President Trump announced a one-month exemption for Mexico and Canada from the 25% tariffs on goods covered under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement (USMCA).
March 12: A 25% tariff on all steel and aluminum imports into the U.S. took effect. The European Union plans to impose 26 billion euros (approximately $28 billion) worth in counter-tariffs next month. Canada is expected to announce nearly 30 billion Canadian dollars (nearly $21 billion) in retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods.
High-level Summary of Recently Announced and Currently Active Tariffs:
• (U.S.) 25% on all steel and aluminum imports.
• (U.S.) 25% on imports from Mexico and Canada not covered under USMCA.
• (U.S.) Total of 20% on imports from China.
• (China) Up to 15% on certain imports from U.S.
• (Canada) Initial 25% on certain U.S. imports.
Expected Impacts
While the exact impacts across our core markets and vendor community are not fully known yet, impacts may be expected in the following areas:
• Increased costs for components and finished goods coming from Canada, Mexico and China.
• Increased risk of disruption and logistical complexity as companies seek alternative suppliers in countries not subject to tariffs.
• Increased inflation due to overall economic effects and countries imposing retaliatory tariffs in response.
For products sold by Border States, our estimated domestic versus import spend and tariff risks by key product categories are listed below. Country of origin and import information can be difficult to obtain, so please note these are our best commercial estimates based on what we know today.
| High-level category | Approximate percentage – domestic | Approximate percentage – imported | Uses steel | Uses aluminum | Tariff risk |
| Wire and cable | 95% | 5% | ✓ | ✓ | Mexico |
| Transformers | 95% | 5% | ✓ | ✓ | Mexico |
| Apparatus and controls | 95% | 5% | ✓ | ✓ | Mexico |
| Metering | 50% | 50% | ✓ | ✓ | Mexico |
| Poles | 95% | 5% | ✓ | X | Canada |
| Line materials (overhead and underground) | 75% | 25% | ✓ | ✓ | Mexico |
| Tools and personal protective equipment | 20% | 80% | ✓ | X | China |
| Gas materials | 75% | 25% | ✓ | X | China |
| Gas pipe | 95% | 5% | ✓ | X | China |
| Switchgear | 80% | 20% | ✓ | ✓ | Mexico China |
| Lighting | 50% | 50% | ✓ | ✓ | Mexico Canada China |
| Lighting controls | 60% | 40% | ✓ | ✓ | Mexico Canada China |
| EMT conduit | 80% | 20% | ✓ | ✓ | Mexico China India |
| EMT fittings | 40% | 60% | ✓ | ✓ | China India |
| PVC conduit | 75% | 25% | X | X | India |
| Fiberglass conduit | 75% | 25% | X | X | India |
Border States’ Response
Border States has been working to prepare for the potential impacts of tariffs both internally and with our vendor community. Actions include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Proactively engaging with vendors to understand their domestic manufacturing/sourcing position and plans to mitigate risks and impacts.
• Using and identifying additional alternate material sources to reduce risk and increase our leverage position.
• Evaluating and executing forward-buy opportunities to delay impacts.
• Shifting spend away from non-strategic suppliers where possible.
• Preparing to leverage volume in price negotiations.
What You Can Do to Mitigate Risk
• Provide early visibility to forecasting and inventory needs.
• Accept alternate materials/suppliers across key components where needed.
• Provide accurate need dates to Border States to ensure effective prioritization.
• Avoid “panic buys” that will cause unnecessary spikes in demand and potentially impact availability and lead times.
Although we cannot control these global supply chain issues, we will continue to be transparent with you about the challenges and work closely with our customers and vendors to navigate these challenges together. If you have additional questions, please reach out to your Border States Account Manager.
Disclaimer: Our information is compiled from several sources that, to the best of our knowledge and belief, are accurate and correct. It is always our intent to present accurate information. Border States accepts no liability or responsibility for the information published herein. These materials are provided for informational use only and do not, nor are they intended to, constitute legal advice. Customers should not take, or should refrain from taking, any action based on any information contained in this alert without first seeking independent legal advice.