SSN readers weigh in on recent tariffs

YARMOUTH, Maine—Trade tariffs have recently been announced on a variety of products and materials that could impact the physical security industry in the United States. Most respondents to Security Systems News' latest news poll are in agreement that recently announced tariffs will impact the security industry, though opinion varied on whether trade will get better or worse in the near future.

“Increasing tariffs will only serve to reduce the competitiveness of US companies and make it harder for both residential and commercial consumers to afford our services. We are all best served by a policy of free and open trade,” John Cerasuolo, president and CEO of ADS Security, wrote in.

More than three-quarters of respondents—77 percent—said that the recently announced tariffs will impact the security industry. Ten percent said that there won't be an impact and another 13 percent said they were not sure on the matter.

“We have already seen the cost of items such as yard signs increase due to steel tariffs, as well as some product shipments being delayed from manufacturers waiting to see how bad the price increases will become,” one reader said.

“[There's] no choice but to pass on increases to the end customer,” another reader said.

When it comes to the actual business impact of the tariffs, 68 percent pointed toward a rise in camera costs. Another 26 percent said that the overall cost of service will go up.

Six percent of respondents said nothing will change for the industry. “Camera cost increase will be minimal and impact overall job costs minimally,” one reader said.

The largest share of respondents—48 percent—said that trade could decline in the near future. Thirty-five percent said it will get better soon. Sixteen percent said they are not sure.

This SSN news poll was conducted between July 20 and Aug. 10.