Unveiling the Truth: What a Texas Showerhead Salesman Learned About ‘Made in the USA’ Labels

Ramon van Meer sells showerheads that are made in China and Vietnam. After President Trump imposed high tariffs on these imports, he wondered if moving production to the U.S. made sense.

He set up an online experiment. Customers could choose between a showerhead priced at $129 (imported) and a domestic version costing about $100 more. He believed that if he started a U.S. supply chain, he’d need to charge around 85% more than the imported model.

The results were surprising. Out of over 25,000 website visitors in two weeks, 600 bought the imported model. Not one person chose the more expensive "Made in the USA" option. "I was amazed and not amazed at the same time," van Meer said. "I knew cheaper would win, but not this much."

In many hardware stores, nearly all showerheads are made abroad. For example, at Ace Hardware, you’ll find mostly Asian imports, except for a water-saving model from Rick Whedon’s family business in Connecticut. Whedon noted that in the past, they shipped 2,000 units weekly, but times have changed.

"Now, few people care about where a product is made," Whedon explained. "Even if tariffs were extremely high, I don’t see many companies starting to manufacture showerheads in the U.S." He emphasized that finding local suppliers is becoming increasingly tough.

David Malcolm, another manufacturer, faces similar hurdles. He initially sourced parts from a local shop, but it closed as business shifted overseas. "Many shops just vanished," Malcolm noted. He now imports parts from Taiwan while still promoting his products as made in California.

The conversation around manufacturing often overlooks the broader impact of imports. Van Meer pointed out that imported products create jobs in logistics and warehousing. "People talk only about manufacturing jobs," he said. "But we also need to consider all the jobs that exist because we can sell these products at a price point that works for buyers."

Experts suggest that while tariffs aim to boost domestic manufacturing, rebuilding U.S. supply chains is a long-term commitment. For consumers, the current results reflect a preference for practical pricing over patriotic purchasing. Uncertainty in trade policies only complicates matters further, leaving businesses scrambling to adapt.

If you’re interested in the larger trend, this analysis from the National Bureau of Economic Research dives deeper into how consumer choice and market dynamics play a role in "Made in the USA" products.

Source link