The legal battle over the administration’s Section 122 tariffs has escalated significantly since early May, adding another layer of uncertainty for manufacturers already navigating a rapidly shifting trade environment.
Shipments of cutting tools totaled $259.3 million in March 2026, increasing 15.2% from February 2026 and 24.6% from March 2025. Year-to-date shipments totaled $705.1 million, up 15.9% from the same period in 2025.
New orders of metalworking machinery totaled $681.3 million in March 2026, increasing 40.3% from February 2026 and 31.5% from March 2025. Manufacturing technology orders totaled $1.61 billion for the first quarter of 2026, up 27.8% year over year.
Following the Supreme Court decision that struck down tariffs imposed under IEEPA, the federal government has begun issuing refunds estimated at more than $150 billion. However, for most companies, the practical impact will take time to materialize.
Shipments of cutting tools, measured by the Cutting Tool Market Report, totaled $225.1 million in February 2026, increasing 2% from January 2026 and 12.8% from February 2025. Year-to-date shipments are up 11.3% from the same period in 2025.
New orders of metalworking machinery totaled $488.9 million in February 2026, increasing 10.7% over January 2026 and 27.4% over February 2025. The total order value through February 2026 has reached $930.5 million, 26% above the first two months of 2025.
The U.S. Small Business Administration announced a new “Made in America Loan Guarantee” to expand domestic manufacturing capacity. Eligible small manufacturers can use the funds to upgrade equipment, modernize facilities, expand, and reshore production.
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After the Supreme Court ruled that tariffs imposed under the IEEPA were unlawful, the Trump administration implemented a new tariff that can remain in effect for up to 150 days. While this is temporary, a new, more durable framework is taking shape.
Shipments of cutting tools totaled $220.7 million in January 2026, increasing 2.7% from December 2025 and 9.9% from January 2025. While the dollar value of shipments increased in January, the number of units shipped decreased slightly from December.