NPGA monitors evolving Trump administration tariff plans

(Editor’s note: On March 6, NPGA launched a tariff information center at npga.org for members seeking regular updates.)

A discussion on Trump administration tariffs filled a hotel ballroom at the National Propane Gas Association’s (NPGA) winter committee and board meetings in Clearwater, Florida.

It was one of many industry discussions already in 2025 about a topic that has evolved rapidly – and one that began this month with the White House announcing new tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico and China.

“To be honest, it’s not that surprising,” NPGA President and CEO Steve Kaminski says of the tariffs. “The Trump administration used tariffs as leverage in the first administration. They did in the first administration allow for exemption processes, which to date in this administration they have not.”

In early January, anticipating the tariff situation, NPGA developed a strategy, which included surveying its membership, hiring trade counsel and aligning with like-minded trade associations to lessen the impacts on member companies and ensure customers have access to affordable and reliable energy.

Main concerns

NPGA holds two primary concerns related to tariffs, Kaminski says: tariffs on propane coming into the United States from Canada and tariffs on propane industry-related equipment and parts coming into the United States from around the world.

According to the association, cross-border propane sales from Canada into the United States total about $1.9 billion annually, so a 10 percent tariff equates to $190 million each year.

By the time the winter meetings ended Feb. 5, the propane industry had only short-term clarity on tariffs, with the White House, along with Canada and Mexico, announcing a one-month pause on all new tariff activity. Without the pause, the new tariffs on imports from these countries were slated to start Feb. 4:

• 10 percent on energy resources, including propane, from Canada
• 25 percent on all other imports from Canada
• 25 percent on all imports from Mexico
• An additional 10 percent tariff on all imports from China, on top of the 25 percent already incurred on most Chinese products, remained in place.

Unless the nations agree to an additional pause, the tariffs are scheduled to start March 4. According to media reports, Trump indicated the White House will move forward as scheduled with the new tariffs.

Sector tariffs

On Feb. 10, the White House also announced sector tariffs on steel and aluminum imports to the United States – 25 percent on each product – regardless of the country of origin and without exemptions. The sector tariffs, on top of the new tariffs, are scheduled to take effect March 12.

“Steel tanks and cylinders manufactured outside of the United States and sold into the United States are going to get slapped with this 25 percent tariff,” Kaminski says. “This is impacting a number of manufacturer members.”

NPGA says it will continue to monitor the Trump administration’s approach to tariffs.

“This is one of our top priorities, but we also have a massive opportunity with this new administration, with the new appointees to the Department of Energy, Department of Transportation and EPA, which are all pro-energy choice, and with the new Congress,” Kaminski says. “We have as good of an opportunity now over the next several months as we’ve had in a long time to position propane very well in the future.”

Homepage feature image: franckreporter/iStock / Getty Images Plus/ Getty Image

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