{"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\/pt\/news\/the-impact-of-trump-s-executive-orders-on-the-transformer-industry-what-buyers-need-to-know\/","title":{"rendered":"O Impacto das Ordens Executivas de Trump na Ind\u00fastria de Transformadores: O que os Compradores Precisam Saber"},"content":{"rendered":"

Um gerente de compras empregado em uma f\u00e1brica nos EUA dedicou uma tarde inteira meses depois, em agosto de 2025, para recalcular o pre\u00e7o de custo de um pedido de transformador ap\u00f3s o agente da alf\u00e2ndega chamar a aten\u00e7\u00e3o para um novo imposto introduzido. O pre\u00e7o total da unidade era de $58.000. Ap\u00f3s calcular os custos adicionais resultantes das tarifas da Se\u00e7\u00e3o 232 sobre a\u00e7o e alum\u00ednio e uma linha de imposto extra, o pre\u00e7o subiu mais de 20% al\u00e9m do que estava inclu\u00eddo na cota\u00e7\u00e3o. Ao mesmo tempo, seu colega de outro estado foi informado de que seu transformador programado para substitui\u00e7\u00e3o chegaria em 26 meses em vez de 12. A\u00e7\u00f5es executivas sobre com\u00e9rcio tornaram o setor de transformadores<\/strong> mais caro, mais lento e mais dif\u00edcil de planejar.<\/p>\n

Este artigo elabora sobre os impactos de ordens executivas e pol\u00edticas comerciais associadas em transformadores, nomeadamente quais tarifas s\u00e3o relevantes, como elas alteram os pre\u00e7os para os clientes, como a demanda \u00e9 alterada com a mudan\u00e7a na legisla\u00e7\u00e3o de conte\u00fado nacional e quais a\u00e7\u00f5es clientes americanos e estrangeiros devem tomar. Este artigo \u00e9 pr\u00e1tico e atualizado com o que \u00e9 atual at\u00e9 meados de 2026; no entanto, deve-se ter em mente que a pol\u00edtica comercial muda regularmente e cada pedido precisa ser re-cotado com base nas regulamenta\u00e7\u00f5es atualmente aplic\u00e1veis.<\/p>\n

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Ordens Executivas e Pol\u00edtica Comercial: O B\u00e1sico<\/h2>\n

Ordens executivas s\u00e3o comandos emitidos pelo presidente dos Estados Unidos que s\u00e3o aplicados no ramo executivo. Em rela\u00e7\u00e3o ao setor de transformadores, as a\u00e7\u00f5es ocorrem de tr\u00eas maneiras. Em primeiro lugar, existem as tarifas da Se\u00e7\u00e3o 232, conforme mencionado na Lei de Expans\u00e3o do Com\u00e9rcio de 1962, que envolvem a seguran\u00e7a nacional como raz\u00e3o para o uso dessas tarifas e que atualmente se aplicam ao a\u00e7o, alum\u00ednio, cobre e produtos derivados desses metais, a uma taxa de 50%. Em segundo lugar, existem tarifas rec\u00edprocas, conforme descrito na IEEPA (Lei de Poderes Econ\u00f4micos de Emerg\u00eancia Internacional), que consistem em algumas tarifas espec\u00edficas de importa\u00e7\u00e3o e exporta\u00e7\u00e3o. Um exemplo seria ter uma tarifa de 10% sobre qualquer coisa que seja importada da China, al\u00e9m do adicional de 10% adicionado \u00e0 tarifa original. Em terceiro lugar, existe a pol\u00edtica de compras, tamb\u00e9m conhecida como regulamenta\u00e7\u00f5es Buy America, segundo a qual tudo que \u00e9 produzido domesticamente deve ser preferido para projetos de infraestrutura financiados federalmente.<\/p>\n

H\u00e1 um detalhe importante em rela\u00e7\u00e3o aos transformadores, embora deva ser observado que as tarifas da se\u00e7\u00e3o 232 para a\u00e7o e alum\u00ednio geralmente s\u00e3o baseadas no conte\u00fado de a\u00e7o e alum\u00ednio do produto importado, em vez do pre\u00e7o total dele em todos os casos. Isso torna o c\u00e1lculo diferente em compara\u00e7\u00e3o com a aplica\u00e7\u00e3o de tarifas universais, raz\u00e3o pela qual o aumento real no pre\u00e7o pode variar de um caso para outro. A linha do tempo abaixo reflete o desenvolvimento do sistema atual de tarifas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Data<\/th>\nA\u00e7\u00e3o<\/th>\nRelev\u00e2ncia para transformadores<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
2018<\/td>\nTarifas da Se\u00e7\u00e3o 232 sobre a\u00e7o (25%) e alum\u00ednio<\/td>\nAumenta o custo do GOES e do a\u00e7o do tanque<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Junho de 2025<\/td>\nTarifas de a\u00e7o e alum\u00ednio aumentadas para 50%; cobertura derivada expandida<\/td>\nImposto maior sobre o conte\u00fado met\u00e1lico em unidades<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1 de agosto de 2025<\/td>\nTarifa de 50% da Se\u00e7\u00e3o 232 sobre produtos de cobre<\/td>\nAumenta o custo dos enrolamentos de cobre<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
18 de agosto de 2025<\/td>\nListas da Se\u00e7\u00e3o 232 estendidas para incluir certos transformadores e pe\u00e7as<\/td>\nLinha de imposto direto sobre unidades importadas<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
29 de agosto de 2025<\/td>\nEntrada isenta de imposto de minimis removida<\/td>\nMesmo pequenas remessas enfrentam impostos<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Final de 2025<\/td>\nTarifas rec\u00edprocas (IEEPA) aplicadas por pa\u00eds<\/td>\nImposto adicional sobre o 232<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Tarifas que afetam transformadores<\/h2>\n

Na tabela abaixo, as principais medidas sobre importa\u00e7\u00f5es de transformadores est\u00e3o consolidadas. Os per\u00edodos de vig\u00eancia das medidas e seus valores no momento da publica\u00e7\u00e3o est\u00e3o indicados na tabela. Desde 2025, as taxas e m\u00e9todos variaram muitas vezes, portanto, n\u00e3o se esque\u00e7a de verificar os dados mais recentes antes de fazer um pedido.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Medida<\/th>\nEscopo<\/th>\nTaxa (conforme publicado)<\/th>\nEfeito sobre transformadores<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Se\u00e7\u00e3o 232 a\u00e7o & alum\u00ednio<\/td>\nA\u00e7o\/alum\u00ednio e derivados, incluindo transformadores<\/td>\n50% sobre conte\u00fado met\u00e1lico (25% para o Reino Unido)<\/td>\nAumenta o custo das unidades importadas<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Se\u00e7\u00e3o 232 cobre<\/td>\nCobre e produtos de cobre<\/td>\n50%<\/td>\nAumenta o custo do conte\u00fado de enrolamento de cobre<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tarifas rec\u00edprocas (IEEPA)<\/td>\nEspec\u00edfico por pa\u00eds, a maioria dos parceiros comerciais<\/td>\n10\u201341% dependendo da origem<\/td>\nAdiciona uma camada de imposto adicional<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Buy America \/ conte\u00fado dom\u00e9stico<\/td>\nProjetos de infraestrutura financiados pelo governo federal<\/td>\nVaria por programa<\/td>\nDesloca a demanda para plantas nos EUA<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Para os compradores, dois pontos s\u00e3o importantes. O primeiro ponto \u00e9 que a lista de produtos reciclados da Se\u00e7\u00e3o 232 inclui alguns transformadores e componentes de transformadores a partir de 18 de agosto de 2025, levando o despachante aduaneiro no exemplo dado neste artigo a se referir a uma nova linha na lista da Se\u00e7\u00e3o 232. O segundo ponto importante \u00e9 que, a partir de meados de 2026, n\u00e3o h\u00e1 uma proibi\u00e7\u00e3o abrangente sobre a importa\u00e7\u00e3o de transformadores para o Canad\u00e1 de qualquer pa\u00eds; os mecanismos utilizados s\u00e3o de custo em vez de proibi\u00e7\u00e3o.<\/p>\n

Como as Tarifas Mudam o Custo Aterrado<\/h2>\n

O efeito das tarifas depende do pedido, uma vez que varia de acordo com a combina\u00e7\u00e3o de produtos, pa\u00eds de origem e composi\u00e7\u00e3o da unidade. Uma ilustra\u00e7\u00e3o mostra como isso funciona na pr\u00e1tica. Suponha que voc\u00ea tenha um transformador montado em base que vale cerca de $120.000, com o a\u00e7o e o cobre formando aproximadamente 25% do valor do transformador.<\/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>\nMelhor para<\/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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Perguntas Frequentes<\/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

Refer\u00eancias<\/h2>\n