As industries across the nation brace for potential new tariffs on March 1, Cleary Building Corp. is already feeling the effects of existing tariffs on steel and aluminum. Sean Cleary, owner and operator of Cleary Building Corp., emphasizes that these trade policies are impacting material costs and business operations.

“By election day, we knew tariffs were going to be a factor,” Cleary stated. “We started working with our suppliers, both domestic and international, before the results were final. We needed to prepare for what was coming.”

“When tariffs increase, domestic producers tend to raise prices,” he explained. “That makes it harder to find alternative suppliers who can fill the gaps.”

Despite these challenges, Cleary remains cautiously optimistic about 2025. “The agricultural industry, which we work closely with, is expected to be stable,” he said. “Leads are still strong, and we’re seeing continued interest in building projects.”

However, uncertainties remain. “Economists predicted two interest rate cuts this year, but now it looks like maybe one—or none,” Cleary explained. “If tariffs continue, inflation could rise, and we might even see interest rates increase instead.”

As industries across the nation brace for potential new tariffs on March 1, Cleary Building Corp. is already feeling the effects of existing tariffs on steel and aluminum. Sean Cleary, owner and operator of Cleary Building Corp., emphasizes that these trade policies are impacting material costs and business operations.
&ldquo;By election day, we knew tariffs were going to be a factor,&rdquo; Cleary stated. &ldquo;We started working with our suppliers, both domestic and international, before the results were final. We needed to prepare for what was coming.&rdquo;
&ldquo;When tariffs increase, domestic producers tend to raise prices,&rdquo; he explained. &ldquo;That makes it harder to find alternative suppliers who can fill the gaps.&rdquo;
Despite these challenges, Cleary remains cautiously optimistic about 2025. &ldquo;The agricultural industry, which we work closely with, is expected to be stable,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Leads are still strong, and we&rsquo;re seeing continued interest in building projects.&rdquo;
However, uncertainties remain. &ldquo;Economists predicted two interest rate cuts this year, but now it looks like maybe one&mdash;or none,&rdquo; Cleary explained. &ldquo;If tariffs continue, inflation could rise, and we might even see interest rates increase instead.&rdquo;

Join Pam Jahnke for the latest farm news. Heard daily on WOZN 96.7 FM and 1670 AM in Madison Wisconsin from 5-6am. Also heard on affiliate stations all over Wisconsin.

Join Pam Jahnke for the latest farm news. Heard daily on WOZN 96.7 FM and 1670 AM in Madison Wisconsin from 5-6am. Also heard on affiliate stations all over Wisconsin.

MID-WEST FARM REPORT - MADISON

Daily audio and podcasts from the Mid-West Farm Report Madison!

Daily audio and podcasts from the Mid-West Farm Report Madison!