Sukup Monitoring, Increasing Prices As Trump Signs Metal Tariff

Before President Trump’s signature dried on steel and aluminum tariffs, some agricultural companies took action based on the president’s plans.

In an email leaked on Twitter dated March 2, Sukup Manufacturing Co. announced to its dealers it would be increasing its price per bounds on commercial bins by 3 cents per pound on orders placed after Sunday March 4.

“Price increases are a reality,” said Rachel Geilenfeld, public relations manager of Sukup.

She said that speculation has driven the costs, and the company has seen increases in material costs.

Sukup is concerned about the tariffs and how it will impact them as a business, their competitors, agriculture and other industries that rely on steel, said Geilenfeld.

This email was a routine communication, as the company would do with any product. She says they have reached out to the dealer and offered their support, but they don’t agree with the tactic he used.

“We understand this impacts dealers and farmers, and we want to share this information,” said Geilenfeld.

Sukup is paying close attention to the situation with the freshly signed tariffs, and they, like other companies, expect this situation to be “negative to agriculture.”