Tariff Trouble: How U.S.–China Tensions Are Driving Up Automation Part Costs in 2025

by Bryan Hellman April 24, 2025

Sky-high tariffs are forcing a reset on how U.S. manufacturers source automation parts. With U.S.–China tensions escalating and Chinese imports facing up to 145% duties, essential components such as PLCs, drives, motors, and HMIs are becoming more expensive—and harder to obtain.

As a result, maintenance teams and sourcing managers are rethinking their strategies to avoid downtime, stay within budget, and sidestep long lead times.

This guide breaks down what’s changing and how Industrial Automation Co. can help you navigate it with confidence.

What the New Tariffs Mean for Industrial Buyers

In early 2025, the U.S. introduced a sweeping set of tariffs targeting hundreds of Chinese-made goods, many of which are essential to factory automation. Affected categories now include:

That includes:

Variable frequency drives (VFDs)
Servo motors
HMIs and touchscreen panels
I/O modules and control boards
Power supplies

If your parts list includes any of the above, you’re likely seeing:

Higher costs per unit
Longer lead times as global inventories adjust
Budget strain for facilities with fixed annual MRO allowances

Some OEMs are passing these costs directly along. Others have stopped shipping certain SKUs to the U.S. altogether.

Why Tested and Replacement Parts Are In High Demand

To avoid delays and inflated costs, many operations are extending the life of existing systems by installing tested, refurbished, or compatible replacement parts. These parts offer a smart, immediate fix that keeps production moving without blowing your budget.

Benefits include:

Reliable performance, often with warranty coverage
No tariff fees or overseas delays
Lower upfront costs compared to brand-new imports

Whether you're replacing a failed drive or sourcing a legacy PLC, quick access to the right part can mean the difference between a few hours of downtime or a full shift lost.

Industrial Automation Co. Has What You Need—Now

At Industrial Automation Co., we carry thousands of automation parts from trusted brands like Allen-Bradley, Siemens, and Mitsubishi—all stocked in our U.S. warehouse and ready to ship. Because these parts are already in the country, our customers avoid additional tariffs, customs delays, and import headaches.

And for buyers looking to diversify away from potentially tariffed imports altogether, we offer a curated selection of reliable, tariff-free alternatives from top-tier manufacturers with U.S.-based operations:

LS Electric
With a new production facility in Texas, LS Electric offers powerful, feature-rich VFDs and soft starters engineered for North American industrial environments—without the tariff markup.
WEG
Manufacturing across several U.S. states, WEG supplies dependable motors and drives that meet UL and CSA standards, making them an excellent choice for facilities seeking both value and performance.
Benshaw
Headquartered in Pennsylvania, Benshaw is a leader in soft starters and motor control solutions for demanding applications. Their domestic production ensures fast turnaround and price stability even during trade turbulence.

Whether you need OEM-grade replacements or strategic alternatives to mitigate tariff risks, Industrial Automation Co. gives you control over your supply chain—without compromising quality, lead time, or cost.

IAC’s Role: Same-Day Stock, Tested Parts, and Competitive Prices

While global supply chains shift and prices climb, Industrial Automation Co. is staying steady. We're not just a distributor—we're a sourcing partner for facilities navigating uncertainty, cost pressure, and time-sensitive repairs.

Here's how we help industrial teams succeed in the face of trade disruption:

Thousands of in-stock automation parts, ready for same-day shipping across the U.S.
Fully tested refurbished parts, including legacy and discontinued models, all backed by a 2-year warranty
Tariff-free and cost-effective alternatives that help teams control budgets and maintain uptime
Responsive, real-human sales support—whether you need an emergency drive or help finding a cross-reference replacement

We're constantly expanding our inventory to include more of what factories actually need—fast, affordable, and ready to run.

Don’t Wait for the Next Price Hike

Tariff increases, shipping delays, and OEM production shifts aren’t slowing down in 2025. When they occur, parts disappear, and prices spike. The best time to source key replacements, backups, and critical spares is before the pressure hits your floor.

✅ Shop tested and in-stock parts across top brands
✅ Get expert help cross-referencing models and avoiding tariff-affected SKUs
✅ Lock in supply security while others scramble

Explore some of our high-demand automation series now before prices get higher:

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