With tariffs back in the spotlight, one industry veteran breaks down their purpose, power, and peril—arguing that trade policy is now a matter of national survival, not just economic strategy.

As President Trump ramps up efforts to revive coal and secure critical minerals, over 2,300 U.S. metals and mining projects worth $300 billion are underway—fueling demand for pipe, valves, and fittings amid rising global tensions, permitting delays, and a race for resource independence.

July 2025 opens with economic uncertainty as oil supply rises, tariffs disrupt trade, labor shortages persist, and key infrastructure projects offer some stability.

As global trade policies shift and supply chain disruptions mount, the PVF market faces an uncertain second quarter, marked by evolving tariffs, rising material costs, oil market volatility, and a critical need for skilled labor—making industry collaboration and information sharing more vital than ever.

As of the writing, the outlook for the PVF industry remains fluid in the wake of President Donald Trump’s April 2, 2025, “Day of Liberation” announcement, which included the imposition of reciprocal tariffs on a wide range of countries and products.

April marks the beginning of the second quarter of 2025, with oil pricing, as of this writing, at $67.05/barrel for WTI and Brent at $70.37/barrel. 

Attorney Steve Nudelman discusses a recent New Jersey appellate court decision in Lahoud v. Anthony & Sylvan Corp., which scrutinized an arbitration clause deemed one-sided in favor of the contractor.

President Trump’s tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China have been implemented as of this writing (25% on Mexico and Canada and an addition 10% across-the-board on all goods from China). 

With Mike Johnson re-elected as Speaker of the House (with the support of then President-elect Donald J. Trump) on the first ballot, it bodes well for the Trump agenda regarding the energy sector of the economy and the PVF industry. 

The Inflation Reduction Act offers significant incentives for geothermal HVAC projects through 2032, including tax credits and direct funding.