{"id":10954,"date":"2026-08-29T23:43:06","date_gmt":"2026-08-29T15:43:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/q8bbzjnpm5.wpdns.site\/?p=10954"},"modified":"2026-08-29T23:43:06","modified_gmt":"2026-08-29T15:43:06","slug":"the-impact-of-trump-s-executive-orders-on-the-transformer-industry-what-buyers-need-to-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/subian-electric.com\/it\/news\/the-impact-of-trump-s-executive-orders-on-the-transformer-industry-what-buyers-need-to-know\/","title":{"rendered":"L'impatto degli ordini esecutivi di Trump sull'industria dei trasformatori: cosa devono sapere gli acquirenti"},"content":{"rendered":"

Un responsabile degli acquisti impiegato in una fabbrica negli Stati Uniti ha dedicato un'intera pomeriggio mesi dopo, ad agosto 2025, per ricalcolare il prezzo di arrivo di un ordine di trasformatori dopo che l'agente doganale ha attirato l'attenzione su un dazio recentemente introdotto. Il prezzo totale dell'unit\u00e0 era di $58.000. Dopo aver calcolato i costi aggiuntivi derivanti dai dazi della Sezione 232 su acciaio e alluminio e una linea di dazio extra, il prezzo \u00e8 aumentato di oltre 20% rispetto a quanto incluso nel preventivo. Allo stesso tempo, il suo omologo di un altro stato \u00e8 stato informato che il suo trasformatore programmato per la sostituzione sarebbe arrivato in 26 mesi invece di 12. Le azioni esecutive sul commercio hanno reso il settore dei trasformatori<\/strong> pi\u00f9 costoso, pi\u00f9 lento e pi\u00f9 difficile da pianificare.<\/p>\n

Questo articolo elabora gli impatti degli ordini esecutivi e delle politiche commerciali associate sui trasformatori, in particolare quali dazi sono rilevanti, come cambiano i prezzi per i clienti, come la domanda \u00e8 alterata con il cambiamento della legislazione sul contenuto nazionale e quali azioni dovrebbero intraprendere i clienti americani e stranieri. Questo articolo \u00e8 pratico e aggiornato con ci\u00f2 che \u00e8 attuale a met\u00e0 del 2026; tuttavia, si deve tenere presente che la politica commerciale cambia regolarmente e ogni ordine deve essere ricalcolato in base alle normative attualmente applicabili.<\/p>\n

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Ordini Esecutivi e Politica Commerciale: Le Basi<\/h2>\n

Gli ordini esecutivi sono comandi emessi dal presidente degli Stati Uniti che vengono applicati nel ramo esecutivo. Per quanto riguarda il settore dei trasformatori, le azioni avvengono in tre modi. Prima di tutto, ci sono i dazi della Sezione 232 come menzionato nel Trade Expansion Act del 1962 che coinvolgono la sicurezza nazionale come motivo per l'uso di questi dazi e che attualmente si applicano a acciaio, alluminio, rame e prodotti derivati da questi metalli, a un tasso del 50%. In secondo luogo, ci sono dazi reciproci come descritti nell'IEEPA (International Emergency Economic Powers Act), che consistono in alcuni dazi specifici su importazioni ed esportazioni. Un esempio sarebbe avere un dazio del 10% su qualsiasi cosa importata dalla Cina, pi\u00f9 il 10% aggiunto al dazio originale. In terzo luogo, c'\u00e8 la politica di approvvigionamento, nota anche come regolamenti Buy America, secondo cui tutto ci\u00f2 che \u00e8 prodotto a livello nazionale dovrebbe essere preferito per progetti infrastrutturali finanziati a livello federale.<\/p>\n

C'\u00e8 un dettaglio importante riguardo ai trasformatori, anche se si deve notare che i dazi della sezione 232 per acciaio e alluminio sono solitamente basati sul contenuto di acciaio e alluminio del prodotto importato piuttosto che sul prezzo totale in ogni caso. Questo rende il calcolo diverso rispetto all'applicazione di dazi universali, motivo per cui l'aumento effettivo del prezzo potrebbe variare da un caso all'altro. La timeline qui sotto riflette lo sviluppo dell'attuale sistema di dazi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Data<\/th>\nAzione<\/th>\nRilevanza per i trasformatori<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
2018<\/td>\nDazi della Sezione 232 su acciaio (25%) e alluminio<\/td>\nAumenta il costo dell'acciaio GOES e dell'acciaio per serbatoi<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Giugno 2025<\/td>\nLe tariffe su acciaio e alluminio aumentate a 50%; copertura derivata ampliata<\/td>\nMaggiore dazio sul contenuto metallico delle unit\u00e0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1 agosto 2025<\/td>\nTariffa 50% Sezione 232 sui prodotti in rame<\/td>\nAumenta il costo degli avvolgimenti in rame<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
18 agosto 2025<\/td>\nElenchi della Sezione 232 estesi per includere alcuni trasformatori e parti<\/td>\nLinea di dazio diretto sulle unit\u00e0 importate<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
29 agosto 2025<\/td>\nRimozione dell'ingresso esente da dazio de minimis<\/td>\nAnche le piccole spedizioni affrontano dazi<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Fine 2025<\/td>\nTariffe reciproche (IEEPA) stratificate per paese<\/td>\nDazio aggiuntivo oltre al 232<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Tariffe che riguardano i trasformatori<\/h2>\n

Nella tabella sottostante, le principali misure relative alle importazioni di trasformatori sono consolidate. I periodi di efficacia delle misure e i loro valori al momento della pubblicazione sono indicati nella tabella. Dal 2025, le tariffe e i metodi sono variati molte volte, quindi non dimenticare di verificare i dati pi\u00f9 recenti prima di ordinare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Misura<\/th>\nAmbito<\/th>\nTariffa (come pubblicato)<\/th>\nEffetto sui trasformatori<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Sezione 232 acciaio & alluminio<\/td>\nAcciaio\/alluminio e derivati, inclusi i trasformatori<\/td>\n50% sul contenuto metallico (25% per il Regno Unito)<\/td>\nAumenta il costo delle unit\u00e0 importate<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sezione 232 rame<\/td>\nRame e prodotti in rame<\/td>\n50%<\/td>\nAumenta il costo del contenuto degli avvolgimenti in rame<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tariffe reciproche (IEEPA)<\/td>\nSpecifiche per paese, la maggior parte dei partner commerciali<\/td>\n10\u201341% a seconda dell'origine<\/td>\nAggiunge uno strato di dazio sopra<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Buy America \/ contenuto domestico<\/td>\nProgetti infrastrutturali finanziati a livello federale<\/td>\nVaria in base al programma<\/td>\nSposta la domanda verso gli impianti statunitensi<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Per gli acquirenti, due punti sono importanti. Il primo punto \u00e8 che l'elenco dei prodotti riciclati della Sezione 232 include alcuni trasformatori e componenti di trasformatori a partire dal 18 agosto 2025, spingendo il broker doganale nell'esempio fornito in questo articolo a fare riferimento a una nuova linea nell'elenco della Sezione 232. Il secondo punto importante \u00e8 che, a partire dalla met\u00e0 del 2026, non esiste un divieto completo sull'importazione di trasformatori in Canada da qualsiasi paese; i meccanismi utilizzati sono basati sui costi piuttosto che su divieti.<\/p>\n

Come le tariffe cambiano il costo a destino<\/h2>\n

L'effetto delle tariffe dipende dall'ordine, poich\u00e9 varia in base al mix di prodotti, paese di origine e composizione dell'unit\u00e0. Un'illustrazione mostra come funziona in pratica. Supponiamo che tu abbia un trasformatore montato su basamento del valore di circa $120,000 con l'acciaio e il rame che formano circa 25% del valore del trasformatore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Cost component<\/th>\nAmount<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
FOB factory price<\/td>\n$120,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Section 232 duty on metal content (50% of ~$30,000)<\/td>\n+$15,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Reciprocal tariff (e.g., 20% on full value)<\/td>\n+$24,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ocean freight and insurance<\/td>\n+$6,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Customs clearance and fees<\/td>\n+$2,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Approximate landed cost<\/td>\n$167,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

The identical operation but from another source, with a smaller metal content or a lack of exclusion, can result in a more substantial or less substantial difference \u2014 and that is why it is wise to turn to suppliers for the latest detailed DDP or CIF offer based on the actual customs tariffs.<\/p>\n

Domestic Content and Buy America Rules<\/h2>\n

Federal programs for construction, transit, and power generation rely on “Buy America” and domestic content requirements. In this arena, the US transformer market sees the effect of good times for domestic manufacturing since almost all of US requirements are filled by imports. Approximately 80% of large transformers in the US are imported; the vital core material, grain-oriented electrical steel (GOES) has one producer in the US filling around 20% of the total requirement.<\/p>\n

Supply response is happening but too slowly. Hitachi Energy committed more than $1 billion to build a large transformer facility in South Boston, Virginia, and an element facility in Tennessee. Siemens Energy expanded its transformer manufacturing in Charlotte, North Carolina, with a $421 million investment. GE Vernova finalized its purchase of Prolec GE in early 2026. Announced investments in transformers in North America exceed $2 billion, whereas ramping of new production requires 18-30 months to take effect and will not eliminate the gap before 2027-2028.<\/p>\n

Grid Investment and the Demand Side<\/h2>\n

Trade policy is just a part of the picture; there\u2019s another piece to the puzzle, which is how U.S. policies are also promoting infrastructure investment. Due to federal programs, investments of billions of dollars have gone into upgrading transmission and distribution systems, improving grid resiliency, and integrating renewable energy sources, and utility companies have appropriately reacted to that. The demand for transformers in the U.S. has grown by about 119 percent since 2019, while generator step up transformers have grown by about 274 percent. The same period which increased the tariffs has widened the scope of demand at the same time; thus, buyers see both the increased demand and queues instead of one of either.<\/p>\n

Impact on U.S. vs. International Buyers<\/h2>\n

The effect of these policies differs sharply by geography, and international buyers sometimes benefit from the reshuffle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Buyer type<\/th>\nMain impact<\/th>\nPractical response<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
U.S. utilities<\/td>\nHigher landed cost, longer queues, Buy America pressure<\/td>\nBook slots early, use waivers where available, diversify origins<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
U.S. contractors\/EPC<\/td>\nBudget uncertainty from tariff swings<\/td>\nRe-quote against current rates; build contingency into bids<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
International buyers<\/td>\nExporters shift capacity; possible price spillover<\/td>\nQualify multiple exporters; lock prices with contracts<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Federal project sponsors<\/td>\nDomestic-content compliance workload<\/td>\nDocument origin and content percentages carefully<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

For exporters, the practical effect has been a reallocation of capacity: manufacturers whose U.S. volumes are constrained by tariffs and content rules have more incentive to serve Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America, where demand is growing and no Section 232 duty applies.<\/p>\n

The Transformer Shortage Context<\/h2>\n

This policy unrest does not happen on its own. The transformer deficit that started in 2021 remains the main driver of lead times and prices: in 2025, average delivery time for standard power transformers in the U.S. is around 128 weeks from order to shipment, and distribution transformer prices are approximately 78%\u201395% above 2019 levels. Regulatory activities increase costs in already-constrained markets, but they are not the creators of the crisis \u2014 limited capacity, material availability, and demand surge are to blame. It is important for customers to view taxes as yet another factor to consider, rather than the overall explanation.<\/p>\n

Practical Steps for Buyers<\/h2>\n

Policy does not fall under the jurisdiction of the purchaser; however, they can mitigate its impact through the following methods:<\/p>\n

Get quotes based on the latest tariff schedules. The tariffs changed in January, May, June, and August of 2025 and will continue to change; hence, any three-month-old quote will be outdated.
\nFor suppliers provided shipping costs, get quotes based on either “cost insurance freight” (CIF) or “delivered duty paid” (DDP) as it saves on calculating duties and shipping fees. Those who provide CIF or DDP quotes take into consideration the metal content of the product being shipped which is one of the bases for calculating 232 duty.
\nAsk for full engineering documentation. Supplying full reports on both IEC 60076 test and routine tests facilitates clearance, engineering review, and commissioning.
\nDiversify manufacturing sources. By qualifying suppliers globally, one can avoid downtimes due to tariff changes or change in manufacturing capacity.
\nMake reservations based on estimated delivery times, but not prices. Due to long waiting times, schedule constraints are normally the biggest problems.
\nTake potential tariff changes in account when making budgets. Expected fluctuations in delivery costs can range from 5% to 15%.<\/p>\n

Brands and Supply Strategy<\/h2>\n

Supply strategy is as important as brand name in a market that is sensitive to policies. The premium tier players, including ABB, Siemens Energy, Schneider Electric, and Hitachi Energy, have strong foundations in production in the U.S. and Europe and they are actively expanding their production plants in the United States, thus establishing a strong partnership with Buy America projects. Pricing for players in this tier reflects their premium status: a transformer with a capacity of 1 \u2013 10 MVA usually varies from $150,000 to $380,000 while the period for delivery is rather long.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Supplier profile<\/th>\nTypical price (1\u201310 MVA)<\/th>\nLead time (approx.)<\/th>\nMigliore per<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Premium tier (ABB, Siemens Energy, Hitachi Energy, GE Vernova)<\/td>\n$150,000\u2013$380,000<\/td>\n18\u201332 months<\/td>\nBuy America projects, EHV, critical assets<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
U.S. builders (Prolec GE, Virginia Transformer, WEG)<\/td>\n$130,000\u2013$320,000<\/td>\n12\u201324 months<\/td>\nDomestic-content compliance<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Volume tier (TBEA, Baoding Tianwei)<\/td>\n$60,000\u2013$200,000<\/td>\n8\u201314 months<\/td>\nInternational projects, price-sensitive volume<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
IEC-certified exporters (Jiangsu Subian Electric Power)<\/td>\n$50,000\u2013$180,000<\/td>\n6\u201312 months<\/td>\nInternational buyers, custom specs<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

ABB, Siemens Energy, Schneider Electric, and Hitachi Energy have earned their place at the top of the transformer industry through decades of engineering and service depth, and they remain the reference points for critical and U.S. domestic work. Jiangsu Subian Electric Power plays a complementary role: as a Chinese transformer manufacturer certified to IEC 60076, it supplies oil-immersed transformers, dry-type transformers, box-type substations, and special-purpose units to international buyers across Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America \u2014 markets where Section 232 duties do not apply and where certified quality at competitive pricing is the deciding factor. For buyers seeking supply diversity beyond the U.S. market, Subian’s documented test reports and flexible production planning offer a practical hedge against policy-driven disruption.<\/p>\n

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Domande frequenti<\/h2>\n

Do U.S. executive orders ban Chinese transformers outright?<\/h3>\n

No. As of mid-2026 there is no blanket ban on imported transformers. The mechanisms are tariffs \u2014 including Section 232 duties on the metal content of transformers and reciprocal tariffs by country \u2014 plus Buy America preferences on federal projects. The effect is higher cost and redirected demand, not prohibition.<\/p>\n

How much do tariffs actually add to a transformer purchase?<\/h3>\n

It varies widely. On a $120,000 pad-mount unit, the Section 232 duty on metal content plus a reciprocal tariff layer added roughly $39,000 in the example above, about 32%. On other origins and product mixes the impact can be much smaller. The only reliable way to know is a fresh CIF or DDP quotation against the current tariff schedule.<\/p>\n

Should buyers delay transformer purchases because of policy changes?<\/h3>\n

Generally no. With power transformer lead times near 128 weeks and distribution units at 26\u201340 weeks, waiting makes the schedule problem worse. Committing early with contract terms that acknowledge tariff and material adjustments is the more reliable strategy.<\/p>\n

Does IEC 60076 certification help with customs and approvals?<\/h3>\n

Yes, in practice. Complete IEC 60076 type test and routine test reports give customs officials, engineering reviewers, and insurers a common basis to accept the equipment, which reduces both clearance time and site-acceptance disputes. It does not change the tariff rate, but it removes a separate source of delay.<\/p>\n

How can international buyers reduce their exposure to U.S. trade policy?<\/h3>\n

Source from regions outside the U.S. tariff scope, qualify two or three certified exporters, and lock pricing and delivery in contract terms that address material and logistics volatility. Exporters serving multiple continents, such as Jiangsu Subian Electric Power, provide that kind of diversification naturally.<\/p>\n

Riferimenti<\/h2>\n