Press Releases

Today, Congressman Richard E. Neal visited Steinerfilm, Inc. to highlight the impact of the Trump Administration’s reckless trade policies on the First Congressional District.

This visit comes one week after President Trump announced a 90-day pause on “reciprocal tariffs,” while maintaining a baseline tariff of 10% on all imports announced on April 2. In addition, a tariff of 145% remains in effect on all goods from China, with an exemption for electronics. The 90-day pause was announced while the U.S. Trade Representative was testifying before the Ways and Means Committee, defending the administration’s “reciprocal tariffs.” The chaotic rollout of tariffs has sent shockwaves through the economy, with economists projecting an increase of $4,600 in costs for the average American household. In addition, the World Trade Organization's previous estimate of a 2.7% increase in goods trade has since been recalculated to a 0.2% decline.

“Let’s remind ourselves of where we were just three months ago. America’s economy was the envy of the world, with more than 16 million jobs created, the lowest average unemployment rate in fifty years, and steady GDP growth that consistently exceeded forecasts. In less than one hundred days, this administration has put all of that in jeopardy,” said Congressman Neal. “For hardworking Americans, they have had to watch their 401K plans and pensions plummet while bracing for an impending increase in costs. For businesses, they are grappling with the uncertainty of these proposals and what it will mean for their overhead. That’s exactly what we’re seeing here today at Steinerfilm.”

Steinerfilm, Inc. has been at the forefront of precision manufacturing since 1978, when it began producing metallized dielectric film in Williamstown. Over the years, Steinerfilm has built a strong reputation for excellence in supplying high-performance films across industries such as lithium-ion batteries, military and defense, medical devices, renewable energy, high-temperature electronics industries, and emerging technologies.

In response to growing demand and the need for a stable, high-quality supply of base film, Steinerfilm made a strategic investment in 1981 by acquiring and modifying a polypropylene film line. This production line was located at the Williamstown facility and remained in operation until 2015, playing a vital role in supporting manufacturing capabilities and ensuring supply chain continuity.

Steinerfilm’s commitment to innovation, reliability, and excellence has positioned it as a trusted partner for its customers. At the same time, the company remains deeply rooted in the Williamstown community—providing employment for 42 employees, contributing to the regional economy, and upholding a strong sense of corporate responsibility.

“I am concerned that, due to the tariffs, we are now forced to increase our prices for customers while the current uncertainty makes it very difficult to determine the correct pricing for our products,” said Marc Steiner, CEO of Steinerfilm. “Until now, we have tried hard to keep prices low to stay competitive with the Asian markets. However, we have already noticed a drop in orders.”

The Trump Administration’s first tariff proposal came on February 1, when President Trump signed an executive order that levied a 25 percent tariff on nearly all goods from Canada and Mexico, the two largest trading partners of the U.S., and a 10 percent tariff on goods from China. Two days later, the administration delayed the tariffs and announced that they would go into effect on March 4. On March 4, the tariffs went into effect, only to be suspended two days later, while still maintaining a 25 percent tariff on steel and aluminum, automobiles, and non-USMCA-compliant goods, as well as a 10 percent tariff on energy and potash. Canada is one of the largest trading partners of the First Congressional District, with $490 million in goods and services exported to Canada in FY23. 

“The Wall Street Journal’s editorial board said it best when they called this ‘the dumbest trade war in history.’ Why you would pursue a trade war with our friends and allies is beyond me, especially against two countries with whom we have a trade agreement,” continued Congressman Neal. “I don’t object to tariffs. Tariffs are an effective negotiating tool when standing up to adversaries. Canada, Mexico, the EU, and others - are not our adversaries.”

Congressman Neal negotiated the United States-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) free trade agreement - the largest hemispheric trade agreement in history. The agreement passed with overwhelming support during President Trump’s first administration and is scheduled for review in 2026.

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