Metalworking Machinery Manufacturers NAICS 3335

May 20, 2026 - USMCA Up For Review

• As the six-year review of the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA) gets underway this month, the National Association of Manufacturers is urging policymakers to preserve and strengthen the agreement, calling it the most manufacturing-friendly trade agreement in US history. In a new report released by the NAM in May, the organization praised the USMCA and called for its swift renewal. Manufacturing groups say the agreement has boosted exports to Canada and Mexico, strengthened supply chains, increased investment, and supported about 2 million US jobs tied to North American trade. Still, industry leaders are pushing for improvements, including streamlined customs procedures, stronger intellectual property protections, and greater regulatory alignment. Manufacturers are also concerned about potential uncertainty from the review process, especially around tariffs, automotive rules, and supply chain requirements. The review’s outcome could significantly affect production costs, capital investment, hiring, and nearshoring strategies across the US manufacturing sector.
• US orders for metal-cutting and metal-forming machinery totaled $441.4 million in January 2026, down sharply from December’s unusually high levels, but still 24.4% higher compared to a year ago, signaling a return to more typical demand levels, American Machinist reports. Machine unit orders also fell significantly, reflecting slower purchasing activity across most regions. For metalworking machinery manufacturers, this indicates a near-term slowdown in order volume following a year-end surge, with more cautious buying behavior from machine shops. However, the YoY growth suggests underlying demand remains healthy, supported by ongoing investments in automation and higher-value equipment, according to AM. Notably, automotive-related demand is strengthening, with manufacturers of transmission and powertrain parts significantly increasing orders, driven by a shift back toward internal combustion and hybrid vehicles. This presents a key growth opportunity for machinery suppliers serving automotive customers.

• Tariffs on steel and aluminum imports to the US have a direct impact on small fabricators’ cost structures, bidding strategies, and overall competitiveness, according to Exiil, a provider of software to metal manufacturers. In March, President Trump raised steel and aluminum import tariffs to the US by 25% (since doubled to 50%), ending all country exemptions, in addition to hiking tariffs on China, according to Reuters. Russian aluminum imports carry a tariff of 200%. Beyond raw metal, the US has increasingly added “downstream” or “derivative” products – such as stamped parts, fasteners, tubing, wire, or other items with high steel/aluminum content – to existing Section 232 tariffs. As a result, metal fabricators face higher materials costs. Even businesses that source metals domestically are likely to pay more for metal as US mills often raise their prices when foreign competitors’ costs go up – because the “floor” of the market shifts.
• Producer prices for metalworking machinery manufacturers rose 5.2% in April compared to a year ago, after rising 3.2% in the previous April-versus-April annual comparison, according to the latest US Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Industry producer prices hit another record high in April, extending a steep and steady climb that began in 2021. Employment by metalworking machinery manufacturers shrank 1.1% year over year in March, while the average industry wage increased 5.8% over the same period to $29.81 per hour, easing slightly from its high in December 2025, BLS data show. Employment by the industry has been trending downward and is nearing pandemic-low levels while wages have risen steeply, BLS data shows.