A volunteer packs canned goods at the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank in Industry, California, on May 21. ROBERT GAUTHIER VIA GETTY IMAGES
The humble tin can is the latest victim of US steel tariffs as domestic manufacturers say producing cans at home has become more expensive than importing them, despite Washington's push to bolster steel production and limit imports.
A decade ago, United States producers made 60 percent of the tinplate and other packaging steel used nationwide, according to Harbor Intelligence, a steel analysis and research company. Last year, that share fell to less than 20 percent, with imports accounting for the remaining 80 percent, The New York Times reported.
In recent years, US steelmakers have deliberately moved away from tinplate production, favoring more lucrative steel products used in cars and buildings. The trend has intensified concerns among can manufacturers, who argue that tariffs are driving up costs while doing little to restore domestic tinplate capacity.
The pressure has prompted industry groups to urge President Donald Trump to remove steel tariffs.
