关税子弹击中美国本土食品制造商！钢铁铝关税翻倍或掀起“包装革命”

Core Viewpoint - The doubling of tariffs on steel and aluminum to 50% by the Trump administration is significantly impacting U.S. food manufacturers, leading them to reconsider their packaging strategies and shift towards alternatives like sterile cartons, glass, and plastic [1][2][3]. Group 1: Impact on Food Manufacturers - Pacific Coast Producers, a major canned food supplier, is facing a 6% increase in special steel costs due to the new tariffs, which could lead to annual losses of up to $40 million and a planned 24% price increase for customers [1][3]. - The influx of imported canned goods from China and Southeast Asia has been driving down prices for domestic products since 2017, exacerbating the impact of the new tariffs [1][3]. - Companies are exploring alternative packaging solutions, such as sterile cartons from Tetra Pak and SIG Group, to mitigate rising costs [2][3]. Group 2: Industry Response and Trends - The beverage industry is also affected, with Coca-Cola indicating a potential shift towards plastic packaging if aluminum costs rise significantly [2][5]. - The American Glass Packaging Association is seeing opportunities to capture market share from aluminum cans due to the tariffs [3][4]. - Analysts suggest that if tariffs persist, companies will need to rethink their packaging strategies to maintain profitability [3][4]. Group 3: Challenges in Transitioning Packaging - Transitioning to alternatives like glass or sterile cartons presents logistical and cost challenges, as glass is generally more expensive due to its heavier weight [4][5]. - The majority of aluminum used in beverage cans is recycled, which may shield some manufacturers from tariff impacts [4][5]. - Companies that have diversified their packaging options, like Coca-Cola, may adapt more easily to tariff changes compared to those focused solely on canned products [5][6].