September 2025 Update: Crane Manufacturers Expand US Operations Amid 2025 Tariffs

Heavy Equipment Manufacturers Explore US Reshoring Strategies Amid Trump Tariffs in 2025

In the wake of escalating trade tensions, heavy equipment manufacturers in construction, agriculture and manufacturing sectors are increasingly evaluating ways to shift operations back to the United States. This trend mirrors recent moves by tech giants, as highlighted in a CNBC article from Aug. 13, 2025, titled “Nvidia, AMD and Apple: Big Tech is paying its way out of Trump tariffs.”

Just as Nvidia and AMD agreed to share 15% of their China-derived chip revenues with the U.S. government to bypass restrictions, and Apple pledged $600 billion in domestic investments, heavy machinery firms are responding to similar pressures from 100% tariffs on semiconductor and chip imports. These policies, aimed at bolstering American production, are prompting public statements and investments in U.S.-based manufacturing to mitigate costs and secure supply chains.

As we progress through 2025, with the current date being Sept. 4, 2025, this updated article examines public announcements from key players in heavy equipment, focusing on construction, agriculture, cranes and related manufacturing. Drawing insights from industry reports and recent data, we explore how these sectors are adapting to “bring things back” to the U.S., emphasizing reshoring methods such as factory expansions and domestic investments. 

Notable updates include mixed economic results in early 2025, with some revenue declines in agriculture and construction equipment, alongside broader reshoring momentum that has created more than 2 million jobs since 2010. Challenges such as labor shortages and outdated technology are also hindering progress, with 72% of manufacturers reporting that obsolete systems are impacting hiring for reshored operations.

Crane Manufacturing: New Models and Expansions Signal US Focus

Cranes, critical for construction and heavy lifting, are a focal point in reshoring discussions. The U.S. crane market reached $6.4 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow to $8.6 billion by 2033, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.21% during 2025-2033, driven by mobile cranes and construction applications.

Growth is fueled by domestic investments and tariff protections under the IIJA’s “Build America, Buy America” provisions. Link-Belt introduced the 225|AT, a 225-ton all-terrain crane, with deliveries starting in Q2 2025, emphasizing U.S. fleet demands for infrastructure and data center projects.

Experts predict high demand for cranes due to acts such as the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) Act and industrial capacity building.

“We expect some of the key drivers to be the infrastructure and CHIPS acts, waterworks projects, building of the country’s industrial capacity, construction of data centers and wind-power work,” according to sector insights. 

This parallels the tech sector’s tariff-avoidance tactics, as crane manufacturers such asCargotec (with a 41.6% market share) invest in U.S. operations to sidestep import costs. The global heavy construction equipment market is projected to reach $219.32 billion in 2025, highlighting opportunities in cranes and related heavy industry.

Public statements underscore optimism: with anticipated regulatory changes under the Trump administration, buyers foresee boosts in manufacturing and heavy civil work, prompting fleet expansions.

Navigating Tariffs: A Broader Industry Shift

As Trump tariffs reshape global trade, heavy equipment manufacturers are publicly embracing U.S. reshoring through investments and expansions, drawing parallels to Nvidia, AMD and Apple’s approaches. Proposed tariffs could increase medium- and heavy-duty truck prices by around 9%, with a 25% tariff on Mexico potentially adding up to $35,000 to new Class 8 tractor costs, affecting trucking and heavy equipment sectors. 

While challenges such as labor shortages persist — 83% of U.S. manufacturing apprenticeships have increased more than the past decade to address gaps — initiatives from GE, Caterpillar and others signal a resilient path forward. For businesses in construction, agriculture and crane manufacturing, these methods not only mitigate costs but also enhance supply chain security in 2025, with 82% of manufacturers actively moving or planning to move factories back to the U.S., up 55% from January 2023.

Stay informed on heavy equipment reshoring trends, U.S. manufacturing investments and tariff impacts — key to optimizing strategies in this evolving landscape. Uncertainty, however, remains as recent tariff developments, such as pending appeals, leave these issues unsettled.