Just when the imaging industry was bouncing back, the newly elected US government has unleashed a series of tariffs against virtually all the countries in the world bar Russia, Belarus and North Korea. The imaging industry manufactures its products mainly in China, Vietnam and Japan and all these countries have been hit with high tariffs. The US along with China are the two major markets for the Japanese camera makers.
It is impossible to estimate the ultimate impact. The tariffs will raise prices for imaging equipment in the US and this could certainly impact the demand. Companies selling photo equipment will have to refocus on other countries. If overall demand is affected, prices will certainly increase.
We can only hope that better sense prevails.
H. S. Billimoria
