Like many different industries, stakeholders within the additive manufacturing (AM) sector are intently monitoring discussions round tariffs and the way they could influence their companies. At Wohlers Associates, powered by ASTM Worldwide, we now have determined to offer a quick pulse on the business, paired with a brief evaluation, to assist the broader AM group place itself extra successfully in response to tariffs — and doubtlessly flip these challenges into alternatives.
This text is structured in two sections. The primary gives a quick geographical evaluation of tariff impacts — in different phrases, how and to what extent numerous nations could also be affected. The second part presents an anonymized abstract of our conversations with just a few gamers within the AM business. Discussions resulting in the event of this text had been carried out on the finish of April 2025. Because of this, among the info and statistics included are topic to vary, 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 now have aimed to channel and mirror a variety of viewpoints. Relying on the extent of curiosity and suggestions from the AM group, there could also be potential to broaden this work additional.
Knowledge evaluation
Determine 1 illustrates the distribution of U.S. imports of AM machines by nation of origin in 2024. This consists of all kinds of AM methods — metallic, polymer, concrete, sand, ceramic, and so on. As proven, Germany, China, and Israel had been the highest three exporting nations to the U.S. in 2024, with whole imports valued at roughly $625 million (supply: UN Comtrade).
Nonetheless, bearing in mind the influence of tariffs paints a unique 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 seemingly exempt because of the United States-Mexico-Canada Settlement (USMCA), below which most qualifying items are tariff-free. In distinction, many different nations face both country-specific or common tariffs.
Determine 2 exhibits the breakdown of about $118 million in new tariff income that might be hypothetically collected if the proposed tariff charges (as of Could 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 lead to 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 essential to notice that these values assume tariffs wouldn’t affect purchaser conduct—a simplification that doesn’t mirror 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 grasp the particular implications of the tariffs quite than implementing important enterprise adjustments. Whereas quick motion (like shifting buy orders) isn’t broadly noticed but, there may be important planning, mapping of potential situations, and requesting of quotes occurring. Firms wish to perceive their choices and have contingency plans of their “again pocket”.
Past direct value implications, tariffs and associated geopolitical components just like the push for reshoring are seen as creating each issues and alternatives. Some view tariffs and provide chain disruptions as a possibility for AM to additional current itself instead answer, enabling companies to avoid conventional provide chain points and enhance enterprise. It is very important notice that the current tariffs are perceived by some as one other layer of volatility on high of great value will increase skilled because the starting of COVID-19. These will increase (typically 10-40% in a 12 months) impacted uncooked supplies, parts, and companies, and had been a significant focus for companies lengthy earlier than the present tariff discussions turned outstanding.
However, many have expressed issues relating to potential implications of current tariff developments. Under is the record of major issues that had been highlighted in our discussions with gamers within the AM business:
- Uncertainty: The present state of affairs 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 offered would have proven a totally totally different breakdown of tariffs collected from totally different nations simply ten days earlier, on Could 5. Not solely did the overall estimated tariff income decline by almost 60%—from $280 million to $118 million between Could 5 and Could 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. Because of this, many American firms searching for to broaden their polymer AM capability would have confronted a tough alternative: soak up greater prices by persevering with to depend on Chinese language methods or shift to home or much less closely tariffed international alternate options. Nonetheless, inside simply ten days, the tariff outlook—and its potential influence—shifted dramatically. As of Could 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 usually are not simply interchangeable because of the complicated, multi-variable nature of the AM course of. Sustaining entry to know-how from nations like Germany, Israel, and Japan is seen essential for enabling home U.S. manufacturing. Tariffing spare elements and inputs (like metallic powders, plastics, wire) from China will also be problematic, particularly if home provide is inadequate.
- Complacency: A possible long-term threat is that protectionist insurance policies may result in complacency in Western industries, permitting China’s well-funded and fewer constrained AM sector to additional surpass Western know-how 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 stage 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 comparable to “Purchase American”, the direct influence of tariffs has been minimal thus far. Whereas such firms might 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. Nonetheless, it needs to be famous that some analysts disagree with this assertion and don’t view the strengthening of the U.S. home manufacturing base as a probable end result of imposing new tariffs.
Moreover, this era could possibly be a really useful time for U.S.-based service bureaus and contract producers. If a non-U.S. producer wants a fast answer for manufacturing within the U.S. because of tariffs, outsourcing to a contract producer with present capability is the probably 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 continuously change suppliers, so as soon as a contract producer is accepted and performing effectively, they’re prone to retain the enterprise even when the tariff state of affairs adjustments sooner or later.
AM firms able to shifting manufacturing to the U.S. might enormously profit from these tariffs – a development that has already begun, albeit for a totally totally different cause: eligibility to work with the U.S. Division of Protection.
However, firms closely reliant on printers or alternative elements from nations focused by U.S. tariffs (e.g., Europe, Israel) or inputs from China might face challenges until 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 might 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 surroundings:
- Wait and see: Keep away from overreacting or making hasty selections earlier than totally 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. Take into account diversification on the provision aspect as effectively.
- Deal with the fitting situation: 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 may use tariffs as an excuse for failing to fulfill their forecasts, quite than acknowledging inner points. In the end, firms ought to concentrate on the issues they’ll management, such because the reliability and repeatability of machines, high quality, and repair ranges, quite than exterior components like tariffs.
- Authorities work: If pursuing enterprise with the U.S. authorities (DoD, DOE, NASA, and so on.), bear in mind that there’s important concern about Chinese language-manufactured merchandise, and the desire to not use Chinese language gear, even when modified. Our interviewees suggested startups to keep away from investing in Chinese language printers if focusing on this market. Firms with present Chinese language gear might 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 sluggish to adapt or caught in conventional methods of pondering (“that is how we have all the time performed it”) might battle. Management high quality is essential.
- Advocate for coverage: Interact with policymakers both instantly or via organizations comparable to AM Coalition to teach them concerning the nuances of the AM business. Advocate for insurance policies that help home manufacturing and common adoption of AM.
The general sentiment from this engagement with the AM business is that whereas tariffs current challenges and uncertainty, the underlying development in the direction of home manufacturing and the inherent advantages of AM (pace, flexibility, provide chain resilience) provide important alternatives for the business if navigated strategically and supported by applicable insurance policies. To maneuver these alternatives and this complicated state of affairs, Wohlers Associates gives not solely probably the most complete knowledge and evaluation on the AM market, however the advisory companies 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