No one has an idea of the inflation coming to the USA. I own a business in the automotive aftermarket. We bring in tons of product from overseas, usually 2-4 containers a month. The increase in costs in the last 10-12 months has been unreal. A container used to cost $3,500-5,000 to bring it to the USA. now, if you are lucky, you need to pay at least $15,000 to bring one in. The cost of materials is through the roof. Aluminum is over 50% up, steel is way up, plastics, everything, and then to top it off factories are still not operating at 100% because of all the still in place Covid restrictions, and workers staying home getting government benefits. Then to put the cherry on top of it, you cannot unload the containers in a timely manner in the USA... Aluminum and steel got a 25% tariff added during the previous administration, and that also raises the prices of everything. I am in the wheel business, among other aftermarket parts, and wheel prices are going through the roof. We have been trying to hold off raising prices too much, but there is just no way to do it and stay profitable. By the end of the year, we will have raised prices on wheels by about 15-20 percent from what they were a year ago...
