Like many different industries, stakeholders within the additive manufacturing (AM) sector are carefully monitoring discussions round tariffs and the way they might influence their companies. At Wohlers Associates, powered by ASTM Worldwide, we’ve got determined to offer a quick pulse on the trade, paired with a brief evaluation, to assist the broader AM neighborhood place itself extra successfully in response to tariffs — and doubtlessly flip these challenges into alternatives.
This text is structured in two sections. The primary presents a quick geographical evaluation of tariff impacts — in different phrases, how and to what extent numerous international locations could also be affected. The second part presents an anonymized abstract of our conversations with a couple of gamers within the AM trade. Discussions resulting in the event of this text had been performed on the finish of April 2025. In consequence, among the info and statistics included are topic to alter, particularly given the fluid and evolving nature of tariff-related insurance policies.
Whereas this report represents a small-scale effort and primarily focuses on implications for U.S. firms, we’ve got aimed to channel and replicate a variety of viewpoints. Relying on the extent of curiosity and suggestions from the AM neighborhood, there could also be potential to develop this work additional.
Information evaluation
Determine 1 illustrates the distribution of U.S. imports of AM machines by nation of origin in 2024. This consists of all sorts of AM techniques — metallic, polymer, concrete, sand, ceramic, and many others. As proven, Germany, China, and Israel had been the highest three exporting international locations to the U.S. in 2024, with whole imports valued at roughly $625 million (supply: UN Comtrade).
Nevertheless, bearing in mind the influence of tariffs paints a distinct image, since export of AM machines could also be topic to totally different tariff remedies relying on the nation of origin. As an illustration, Canada and Mexico are probably exempt because of the United States-Mexico-Canada Settlement (USMCA), beneath which most qualifying items are tariff-free. In distinction, many different international locations face both country-specific or normal tariffs.
Determine 2 reveals the breakdown of about $118 million in new tariff income that might be hypothetically collected if the proposed tariff charges (as of Might 15, 2025) had been utilized to 2024 AM machine imports. China and Germany would each account for the lion’s share at simply shy of $92 million. This extra tariff income would end in a mean 30% enhance in the price of Chinese language machines imported to the U.S, and a mean 20% enhance in the price of German machines. It is vital to notice that these values assume tariffs wouldn’t affect purchaser conduct—a simplification that doesn’t replicate real-world dynamics however permits for a clearer comparability of the potential magnitude of the tariffs.
Pulse of the U.S. AM Trade
The influence of tariffs is multifaceted and perceived in a different way relying on an organization’s place within the AM ecosystem. Most firms are at the moment in a “monitoring mode,” making an attempt to know the particular implications of the tariffs moderately than implementing important enterprise adjustments. Whereas rapid motion (like shifting buy orders) isn’t extensively noticed but, there’s important planning, mapping of potential eventualities, and requesting of quotes occurring. Firms wish to perceive their choices and have contingency plans of their “again pocket”.
Past direct price implications, tariffs and associated geopolitical components just like the push for reshoring are seen as creating each considerations and alternatives. Some view tariffs and provide chain disruptions as a possibility for AM to additional current itself in its place resolution, enabling companies to avoid conventional provide chain points and enhance enterprise. You will need to observe that the current tariffs are perceived by some as one other layer of volatility on high of serious value will increase skilled for the reason that starting of COVID-19. These will increase (generally 10-40% in a yr) impacted uncooked supplies, elements, and providers, and had been a serious focus for companies lengthy earlier than the present tariff discussions turned outstanding.
However, many have expressed considerations relating to potential implications of current tariff developments. Under is the checklist of main considerations that had been highlighted in our discussions with gamers within the AM trade:
- Uncertainty: The present scenario is characterised by chaos and uncertainty, making it tough for firms to execute long-term buying and funding selections. The identical chart—Determine 2—that was beforehand introduced would have proven a totally totally different breakdown of tariffs collected from totally different international locations simply ten days earlier, on Might 5. Not solely did the overall estimated tariff income decline by practically 60%—from $280 million to $118 million between Might 5 and Might 15—however the implications of the sooner tariff ranges would have had a big influence on the polymer AM market within the U.S. Contemplating that 56% of polymer AM machines imported into the U.S. in 2024 got here from China, the upper tariff percentages at the moment would have considerably elevated the price of these machines. In consequence, many American firms searching for to develop their polymer AM capability would have confronted a tough selection: take up larger prices by persevering with to depend on Chinese language techniques or shift to home or much less closely tariffed overseas alternate options. Nevertheless, inside simply ten days, the tariff outlook—and its potential influence—shifted dramatically. As of Might 15, not solely is the projected tariff income a lot decrease, however the penalties for the polymer AM market seem far much less extreme. This illustrates the excessive diploma of volatility and uncertainty at the moment surrounding U.S. tariff coverage discussions.
- Workflow disruption: The broad imposition of tariffs is problematic for U.S. firms that depend on imported printers. For instance, the qualification necessities, particularly for demanding sectors like medical, aviation, and protection, are sometimes machine-specific, and AM machines should not simply interchangeable because of the advanced, multi-variable nature of the AM course of. Sustaining entry to expertise from international locations like Germany, Israel, and Japan is seen essential for enabling home U.S. manufacturing. Tariffing spare components and inputs (like metallic powders, plastics, wire) from China can be problematic, particularly if home provide is inadequate.
- Complacency: A possible long-term threat is that protectionist insurance policies would possibly result in complacency in Western industries, permitting China’s well-funded and fewer constrained AM sector to additional surpass Western expertise sooner or later.
Winners and Losers
Figuring out clear winners and losers is tough given the uncertainty, primarily as a result of the particular tariff degree issues. Anecdotal proof suggests {that a} 10% tariff may not result in adjustments in buying conduct or mixture of suppliers, however a 25% tariff might set off shifts. Regardless of these uncertainties, some views emerged.
The U.S. home manufacturing base is anticipated to be the larger winner in the long run. For firms closely concerned within the U.S. aerospace, protection, and area sectors with necessities resembling “Purchase American”, the direct influence of tariffs has been minimal up to now. Whereas such firms could supply a few of their enter supplies (together with feedstocks) from non-U.S. sources, tariffs have but to trigger a big change of their insurance policies or enterprise methods. Nevertheless, it must be famous that some analysts disagree with this assertion and don’t view the strengthening of the U.S. home manufacturing base as a possible end result of imposing new tariffs.
Moreover, this era may very well be a really useful time for U.S.-based service bureaus and contract producers. If a non-U.S. producer wants a fast resolution for manufacturing within the U.S. resulting from tariffs, outsourcing to a contract producer with current capability is the more than likely path, as constructing a brand new facility takes years. Profitable contract producers who can win these alternatives by serving to now have the potential for steady enterprise. The mindset of producers is to not always change suppliers, so as soon as a contract producer is accepted and performing nicely, they’re more likely to retain the enterprise even when the tariff scenario adjustments sooner or later.
AM firms able to shifting manufacturing to the U.S. could vastly profit from these tariffs – a pattern that has already begun, albeit for a totally totally different motive: eligibility to work with the U.S. Division of Protection.
However, firms closely reliant on printers or substitute components from international locations focused by U.S. tariffs (e.g., Europe, Israel) or inputs from China could face challenges except waivers or various sourcing are secured. For instance, service bureaus and contract producers that supply their feedstock from China and function at a low margin could discover the monetary viability of their companies in danger.
Recommendation for AM Companies
A number of items of recommendation had been supplied for firms navigating this setting:
- Wait and see: Keep away from overreacting or making hasty selections earlier than absolutely understanding the implications of the altering tariff panorama.
- Diversification: Diversify your buyer portfolio to keep away from being overly reliant on one or two companies or sectors, which may be closely impacted by exterior insurance policies or market fluctuations. Think about diversification on the availability aspect as nicely.
- Deal with the precise subject: Tariffs are an actual drawback however should not be the highest concern for a lot of AM firms. There’s a concern that some firms would possibly use tariffs as an excuse for failing to satisfy their forecasts, moderately than acknowledging inner points. In the end, firms ought to give attention to the issues they’ll management, such because the reliability and repeatability of machines, high quality, and repair ranges, moderately than exterior components like tariffs.
- Authorities work: If pursuing enterprise with the U.S. authorities (DoD, DOE, NASA, and many others.), bear in mind that there’s important concern about Chinese language-manufactured merchandise, and the choice to not use Chinese language tools, even when modified. Our interviewees suggested startups to keep away from investing in Chinese language printers if focusing on this market. Firms with current Chinese language tools could face challenges and thorough evaluations.
- Change administration: Firms with an agile, resourceful, and change-oriented mindset are finest positioned to navigate the volatility and discover alternatives, no matter their dimension. Conversely, these which are gradual to adapt or caught in conventional methods of considering (“that is how we have at all times performed it”) could wrestle. Management high quality is essential.
- Advocate for coverage: Have interaction with policymakers both straight or by organizations resembling AM Coalition to coach them concerning the nuances of the AM trade. Advocate for insurance policies that assist home manufacturing and normal adoption of AM.
The general sentiment from this engagement with the AM trade is that whereas tariffs current challenges and uncertainty, the underlying pattern in direction of home manufacturing and the inherent advantages of AM (pace, flexibility, provide chain resilience) provide important alternatives for the trade if navigated strategically and supported by acceptable insurance policies. To maneuver these alternatives and this advanced scenario, Wohlers Associates presents not solely probably the most complete knowledge and evaluation on the AM market, however the advisory providers to help in making use of that perception. Go to wohlersassociates.com to study extra.
Authors
Mahdi Jamshid, PhD, Director of Market Intelligence at Wohlers Associates, powered by ASTM Worldwide | wa@wohlersassociates.com
Pablo Enrique, PhD, Additive Manufacturing Supervisor at Wohlers Associates, powered by ASTM Worldwide
