One of the region's largest companies is being hit by the American punitive tariff, which now affects the entire world.
The American president Donald Trump introduced the special tariff on Wednesday morning, Danish time. It means that a tariff of 25 percent must be paid on all goods primarily made of steel or aluminum that are imported to the USA. The tariff aims to give a helping hand to American companies, and according to Trump, to get foreign companies to move their production to the USA.
At Hardi International in Nørre Alslev, they have a turnover of over half a billion kroner a year. And the USA is a huge market for the manufacturer of agricultural machinery. Here, 20 to 25 percent of the exports go to the USA.
- It will have an effect on us, says director Hans Meulenkamp.
Have prepared
Donald Trump has talked about tariffs on steel and aluminum, so at Hardi they are well prepared for the situation, which they have been ready for over several months.
- We sell a number of pumps for de-icing aircraft wings and greenkeeper equipment for golf courses to the USA, and we are difficult to replace there. For agricultural sprayers, it's different, as in that area we are up against local American sprayer manufacturers, and we will feel it there, says Hans Meulenkamp.
Hardi International has struggled for many years to show a profit. In fact, it's been ten years since that happened. And 2025 is also going to result in a deficit, Hans Meulenkamp has previously stated. But he does not fear that the American tariff will ruin 2025.
- It could be over in three weeks, and there's really no one benefiting from it. So there is no panic at all. But it's clear that if this drags on and becomes prolonged, it will hit us.
