Anna Helhosky, Neldwallet
Shoppers who are concerned about tariffs that increase the cost of their favorite products may think that “Made in Usa” products can provide financial relief. However, you may try to find budget-friendly items manufactured domestically.
Americans like the idea of buying more American-made products. In a November 2024 poll for the Alliance for American Manufacturing, 60% of Americans said they had made an effort to purchase US-made products over the past year. Also, 82% said they would buy more if it made it easier for retailers to find those products.
“Made in USA” does not necessarily mean there are no customs duties at all times
Buying American products is not about avoiding tariffs or global supply chains. Even the most well-known US companies rely on imported components to make finished products.
For example, consider Crayola. Headquartered in Pennsylvania, it has a manufacturing facility in the US, but produces some of its products in Mexico. Several other iconic American brands are based on at least some (if not all) of manufacturing outside the US, where labor and other low cost of production costs are low. This includes Levi’s jeans, LL Bean Apparel, Converse’s Chuck Taylor All-Star sneakers, Ray-Ban sunglasses, Major League Baseball, American Girl Doll, Fender guitars, and essentially all Nike.
Even clearly American car companies such as Ford, General Motors, Stellantis assemble cars domestically, but they need to source parts from elsewhere. Approximately 30,000 parts assemble the car. Many components are subject to tariffs every time you cross the border during the procurement, production and shipping process.
Essentially, US goods that require import somewhere in the production process face higher production costs while tariffs are in place. And as import prices rise, final products made in the US can become more expensive for consumers.
Other considerations: Even if “Made in USA” products are 100% sourced and produced domestically, it does not mean that they are cheaper than US products due to customs duties. The cost of labor, materials and regulatory compliance can make manufacturing expensive. Shoppers need time to find and compare options.
What happened when I went looking for a pot?
Finding “made in the USA” products that are fully produced in the US will be tracking the needles of Haystack, as they are sourced and manufactured here. But it really depends on what you’re looking for.
Recently I went looking for cast iron pans. It’s one kitchen item I grew up with but don’t currently own. And because it somehow feels American in my mind, I went looking for American-made cast iron bread. After all, in this case it wasn’t that difficult! However, the costs were quite different.
I started with a cooking utensil company headquartered in the famous US brand: All Clad, Western Pennsylvania, and headquartered in its manufacturing industry. Its endless stainless steel cookware is made entirely in the US, but when viewed with a stainless steel lid, it says it is made in Vietnam. Personally, for me, it’s not a breach of contract, but for the purposes of this article, I’m not a winner. For records, the price tag was $109.99 – on sale from $189.99.
Another Pennsylvania-based cookware company, Lancaster Cast Iron produces all of the state’s products, including the No. 10 frying pan, which runs for $225.
Then there was Field Company, a small cast iron frying company based in New York City. That No. 10 bread is almost 12 inches and is advertised as a “smooth and lighter” cast iron skillet, but it came in for $215 and a matching cast iron lid cost $140. The Pan and Rid set was $300. All field procurement is done in the US, with production in Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin.
Finally, I searched for a budget cast iron-specific kitchenware company and found Lodge Cast Iron, a 129-year-old company based in Tennessee. It takes pride in producing 80% of its products in the United States. Some are produced overseas, such as enamel cast iron. But that classic seasoned 12-inch cast iron skillet was made in the US, which I last checked and sold for $24.90. A cast iron lid costs around $30.
Given my limited kitchen skills, I went to the lodge – the most affordable options.
What you need to do to get the “Made in USA” label
To promote the product as “made in the USA,” the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) says the product must meet the standards. It has been like that for decades, but it was not until 1997 that FTC provided specific guidance to businesses by using the “Made in USA” label. Most of the company’s products must actually be made in the United States to promote a product being “manufactured”, “manufactured”, “build”, “production”, “created”, or “created”.
All clad and lodge cast iron can be widely advertised as “USA In USA” because the vast majority of products are. However, advertising-specific products cannot argue that companies are made in the US when they are not.
Ultimately, choosing to buy American-made products is a matter of personal priorities. Whatever the reason – cost, quality, ethics, desire – shoppers need to do some research. Depending on the product, cost-conscious consumers may need to make decisions to support domestic manufacturing and to buy affordable ones.
Does tariffs bring manufacturing back to the US?
It is unclear whether President Donald Trump’s tariffs will bring more manufacturing to the US soil. Even with tariffs, some companies may find it cheaper to manufacture goods in countries where labor, procurement and production costs are cheaper.
Nevertheless, domestic manufacturing is growing. Latest data shows that in March 2025, expenditures on manufacturing construction were 3.7% higher than a year ago. This is part of a broader upward trend that began in 2011.
But bringing manufacturing back to the US, also known as modifications, does not happen overnight. It takes time to build a factory, fill positions, and proceed with production. This means that even if investments are made, there should be delays before more “USA In USA” products become available.
Anna Helhoski writes for Nald Wallet. Email: anna@nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @annahelhoski.
Article facing tariffs, Should Shoppers Look for “made in America” products? It originally appeared in Nerdwallet.
Original issue: May 27, 2025, 2:03pm EDT
