A sweeping set of tariffs imposed by the Trump administration earlier this month has sparked serious concerns within the safety equipment industry, particularly regarding the continued availability and affordability of life-saving personal protective equipment (PPE). As the effects begin to ripple through supply chains, the International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) calls on the administration to urgently exempt PPE and related components from the new trade measures.
Key Takeaways
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Proper use of PPE is statistically proven to prevent 90% of workplace injuries and illnesses, making access to it essential for worker protection.
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Trump tariffs on imported goods, including personal protective equipment (PPE), could significantly raise costs and limit the availability of critical safety supplies.
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Industries such as healthcare, construction, manufacturing, and energy are especially vulnerable to PPE shortages because of their reliance on global supply chains.
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Shortages of PPE could force employers to make risky decisions, such as extending the use of worn gear or cutting safety budgets, which could directly compromise occupational safety.
Understanding the Tariff Policies
In 2018, the Trump administration initiated a series of tariffs aimed at addressing trade imbalances and protecting domestic industries. Notably, on September 24, 2018, the U.S. imposed additional tariffs on approximately $200 billion worth of Chinese imports, starting at 10% and increasing to 25% by January 1, 2019. China retaliated by imposing its own tariffs on U.S. goods, leading to a tit-for-tat trade war. The Biden administration maintained many of the existing tariffs, particularly those targeting China.
Fast forward to April 2, 2025, the Trump administration announced a new round of tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 (IEEPA). A baseline 10% tariff on most imported goods took effect on April 5, with a second, more targeted wave of country-specific tariffs beginning April 9. While some essential goods were excluded, PPE and safety equipment were notably left off the exemption list.
This omission is raising red flags among industry leaders, public health advocates, and employers alike.
Trump Tariffs' Impact on Safety Equipment Market
Essential items such as respirators, protective eyewear, gloves, and high-visibility apparel rely on globally integrated supply chains and components that cannot be easily or rapidly sourced from U.S. manufacturers alone. Many organizations fear that if the current tariff policies continue or expand, the Trump tariffs could further drive up costs for personal protective equipment across the United States. In 2018, the American Action Forum estimated that if import volumes held steady, the added tariffs would inflate U.S. medical supply costs by roughly $400 million annually.
Beyond driving up prices, the Trump tariffs could also disrupt PPE availability. A significant share of industrial safety supplies used in construction, manufacturing, and other sectors are sourced from China, making the U.S. supply chain especially vulnerable. When Section 301 tariffs took effect in 2019, U.S. imports of protective equipment declined sharply, as shown in Figure 4 above.
Jennifer Hillman, a senior fellow for trade and international political economy at the Council on Foreign Relations, explained to reporters on a press call in 2020, “Our traditional stockpiles, the amount that we had just in storage, by FEMA, by Veterans Affairs, by HHS, and by a lot of state and local hospitals, they decreased the amount of their imports and decreased their stockpiles because of the tariffs.” This means, if similar patterns repeat under current or expanded tariffs, industries could again face shortages of critical safety gear, putting workers at greater risk.
Trump Tariffs' Impact on Occupational Safety
Did these tariff-induced cost and supply issues actually harm worker safety? While it’s challenging to isolate cause and effect, there is evidence of both indirect and direct impacts on safety outcomes:
Shortages and Delayed Protection
If tariffs on critical safety equipment persist, shortages of PPE and safety equipment could become more widespread across American industries. As stockpiles are drawn down and imports remain limited, workers might experience delays in receiving essential protective gear such as respirators, gloves, and high-visibility clothing. In high-risk sectors like construction, healthcare, and manufacturing, even short-term gaps in PPE availability could expose workers to greater hazards.
Employer Behavior
Rising costs and uncertain supply chains might force employers to make difficult choices regarding worker protection. Companies operating on tight margins could be pushed to extend the life of existing safety gear beyond its recommended usage, substitute lower-quality equipment, or reduce routine replacement schedules. Some employers might also cut back on safety training or delay investments in newer, more protective technologies.
These changes, while financially motivated, could undermine the safety culture within organizations and increase overall workplace risks.
Industrial Injury Rates
Prolonged shortages and reduced investment in safety measures could contribute to a rise in industrial injury rates. Research indicates that proper use of PPE can reduce more than 90% of accidents and occupational illnesses. If access to protective equipment becomes limited or employers are forced to cut back on safety spending, incidents involving burns, cuts, respiratory illnesses, and other job-related injuries could increase sharply.
Over time, the hidden costs of rising injury rates could far exceed any short-term economic gains achieved through tariff policy.
A Call for Urgent Action
As of late April 2025, pressure is mounting on the administration to provide relief for life-saving equipment. The International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA), the leading U.S. trade association for safety and personal protective product manufacturers, has issued a formal appeal for an immediate exception.
In its appeal, the ISEA emphasized that PPE and safety equipment should be categorized alongside other essential goods exempted from tariffs. These products, the association contends, are foundational to workplace safety and national resilience, and should not be caught in the crossfire of broader trade policy shifts.
Allowing these tariffs to remain on critical protective equipment could inadvertently undermine U.S. workforce resilience and public health. The American Hospital Association (AHA) likewise warned that much of the PPE used in healthcare “is manufactured in China and cannot be easily replaced by domestic manufacturers”, so tariffs may cause supply disruptions or even shortages. If supply dwindles, critical protective items could become harder to procure in the short term.
Aligning trade policy with emergency preparedness could help protect the nation’s safety infrastructure from becoming an unintended casualty of the ongoing trade disputes.
Trump Tariffs' FAQs
What is the main goal of tariffs?
The main goal of tariffs is to reduce trade deficits, encourage local manufacturing, and shift supply chains back to domestic or allied sources. In the case of the Trump tariffs, the stated objectives included countering unfair trade practices by China, boosting U.S. manufacturing competitiveness, and reducing reliance on foreign suppliers.
Which specific PPE products are affected by the Trump tariffs?
Several types of personal protective equipment were affected by the Trump tariffs, especially those included in Section 301 tariffs on Chinese goods. Impacted products included:
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- Respirators and face masks
- Protective eyewear and safety goggles
- Industrial gloves (such as chemical-resistant and cut-resistant gloves)
- High-visibility apparel (like safety vests and jackets)
- Protective footwear (including steel-toe boots)
- Disposable protective clothing, such as coveralls
Many of these items are difficult to source quickly from domestic manufacturers due to the specialized materials and global supply chains involved.
Are particular industries more exposed to PPE shortages because of the tariffs?
Yes. Industries that rely heavily on specific types of PPE are more vulnerable to shortages, including healthcare, construction, manufacturing, energy and utilities, and agriculture and food processing. Workers in these sectors could face greater risks if access to appropriate PPE becomes limited or delayed.
How did labor unions react to tariff-induced changes in workplace safety standards?
Labor unions expressed concern that increased PPE costs and supply disruptions resulting from the tariffs could undermine occupational safety. Union leaders argued that tariffs should be designed or adjusted to protect workers economically and physically, warning that safety should not become an unintended casualty of broader trade conflicts. Several unions called for federal relief measures, such as tariff exemptions for critical safety equipment, to safeguard worker health.
What should policymakers prioritize to prevent occupational safety standards from deteriorating?
To prevent occupational safety standards from deteriorating, policymakers should prioritize exempting critical PPE from tariffs and supporting the growth of domestic manufacturing. They must also monitor the impact of trade policies on worker protection to avoid creating new risks in already hazardous industries.
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