Register For Our Mailing List

Register to receive our free weekly newsletter including editorials.

Home / 254

Trump’s tariff proposals benefit global infrastructure

During the 2016 US presidential campaign, a familiar rhetoric used by Donald Trump was the need for the US to re-evaluate trade deals such as the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) as well as several bilateral trade agreements with the intention to improve domestic employment and industries.

In line with this protectionist view of international trade, on 1 March 2018, President Trump announced his plan to enforce a 25% tariff on steel imports and a 10% tariff on aluminium imports. Immediately post-announcement, the US and global equity markets pulled back sharply over global trade concerns.

Since this initial statement, several trade negotiations have taken place, and on 22 March, the Trump Administration announced that it would suspend the steel tariffs on select countries until 1 May 2018, including Australia.

However, on the same day, President Trump also issued a memorandum directing his Administration to take action under section 301 of the US Trade Act of 1974, related to China’s acts, policies, and practices related to technology transfer, intellectual property and innovation. The actions include:

  • Restrictions on Chinese investment in the United States.
  • Imposition of higher customs duties on imports from China.

This announcement sparked global concerns over a potential trade war between the US and China which resulted in another sharp drop in global equity markets. As trade negotiations continue, the outcome of the tariff proposals and the Administration’s broader trade policy remain unclear. Many market participants believe that a ‘watered down’ version of the initial proposals may be implemented.

Impact on infrastructure and flow of trade

Theoretically, the enactment of tariffs changes the trading dynamics between economies, which in turn, changes the flow of trade. For the importing nation, the local consumer must seek domestic alternatives or pay a premium for imported goods. For the exporting economy, on the assumption that the volume of goods produced remains unchanged, these goods can be redirected to other countries. This redirection of trade flow has a net positive impact on infrastructure. Let’s explore why.

From a global perspective, user-pay infrastructure, specifically port, road, and rail operators, move goods throughout the global economy as well as domestically. Given tariffs impact trade flows, these companies are set to be most exposed to the impact of a US tariff on Chinese imports.

We believe that in the event the proposed tariff on Chinese imports is imposed, it will likely change the direction of trade flowing out of China rather than the volume. In other words, it’s likely that the goods will be shipped to other countries instead of the US.

For port operators outside the US, this could mean that shipping volume could remain neutral, or, in fact, could stimulate the need for greater shipping which positively affects the infrastructure needed to support the redirected trade. For instance, the frequency of the China to US route might be replaced by increased China to Europe shipments. As an extension of this, where the goods land will require a recalibration of that economy’s infrastructure to account for the increased goods coming in and then the movement of these goods around that economy. Domestic freight rail operators, and warehousing and storage providers, may have to increase their capacity to account for the increased trade.

From the perspective of the US, fewer goods being imported from China may see long-haul rail companies experience a reduction in freight volumes, however, domestic intermodal operators might see increased activity domestically as US consumers switch to alternative products. This will result in a need to re-calibrate US infrastructure. Trump’s infrastructure proposal, if passed by Congress, will help make capital available for this recalibration.

Caveats on identifying consequences

However, we do see some cautionary elements to consider:

1) The actions of the Trump Administration, including high-level personnel changes, since taking office have heightened US political risk. Some market participants believe that the recent share price movements signal that the equity markets are factoring in this heightened risk, that is, it’s less about trade, and more about general policy uncertainty.

2) Investors like infrastructure assets because they are typically characterised by long useful lives and a stable cash flow profile. Tariffs, in contrast, are often short lived and thus have a limited impact. For instance, in early 2002, the Bush Administration imposed steel tariffs of up to 30% on the import of steel. Similar to Trump’s tariffs, this tariff was highly controversial, with many market pundits fearing a global trade war. In November 2003, the World Trade Organisation (WTO) ruled against the steel tariffs citing that they had not been imposed during a period of import surge and thus the tariff violated the US WTO tariff-rate commitments. Given a looming $2 billion penalty in sanctions coupled with trade retaliation from the European Union, the US withdrew this tariff in December 2003. This tariff was only enforced for an 18-month period.

3) The enactment of a tariff may not completely remove the comparative advantage some economies have in the production of certain goods. For instance, relative to the US, Australia has a comparative advantage in the production and export of steel (predominately in the cost of transportation from the point of origin in East Coast Australia to the final market in the US West Coast). The implementation of a steel tariff, for instance, is highly unlikely to completely erode this and thus may not result in the intended redirection of steel trade flows.

 

Nick Langley is Chief Investment Officer of RARE Infrastructure, an affiliate of Legg Mason, a sponsor of Cuffelinks. This article is general information and does not consider the circumstances of any individual.


 

Leave a Comment:

RELATED ARTICLES

Tariffs are a smokescreen to Trump's real endgame

REITs: a haven in a Trumpian world?

Welcome to Firstlinks Edition 606 with weekend update

banner

Most viewed in recent weeks

Raising the GST to 15%

Treasurer Jim Chalmers aims to tackle tax reform but faces challenges. Previous reviews struggled due to political sensitivities, highlighting the need for comprehensive and politically feasible change.

7 examples of how the new super tax will be calculated

You've no doubt heard about Division 296. These case studies show what people at various levels above the $3 million threshold might need to pay the ATO, with examples ranging from under $500 to more than $35,000.

The revolt against Baby Boomer wealth

The $3m super tax could be put down to the Government needing money and the wealthy being easy targets. It’s deeper than that though and this looks at the factors behind the policy and why more taxes on the wealthy are coming.

Are franking credits hurting Australia’s economy?

Business investment and per capita GDP have languished over the past decade and the Labor Government is conducting inquiries to find out why. Franking credits should be part of the debate about our stalling economy.

Here's what should replace the $3 million super tax

With Div. 296 looming, is there a smarter way to tax superannuation? This proposes a fairer, income-linked alternative that respects compounding, ensures predictability, and avoids taxing unrealised capital gains. 

The rubbery numbers behind super tax concessions

In selling the super tax, Labor has repeated Treasury claims of there being $50 billion in super tax concessions annually, mostly flowing to high-income earners. This figure is vastly overstated.

Latest Updates

Investment strategies

Trump's US dollar assault is fuelling CBA's rise

Australian-based investors have been perplexed by the steep rise in CBA's share price But it's becoming clear that US funds are buying into our largest bank as a hedge against potential QE and further falls in the US dollar.

Investment strategies

With markets near record highs, here's what you should do with your portfolio

Markets have weathered geopolitical turmoil, hitting near record highs. Investors face tough decisions on valuations, asset concentration, and strategic portfolio rebalancing for risk control and future returns.

Property

Soaring house prices may be locking people into marriages

Soaring house prices are deepening Australia's cost of living crisis - and possibly distorting marriage decisions. New research links unexpected price changes to whether couples separate or silently struggle together.

Investment strategies

Google is facing 'the innovator's dilemma'

Artificial intelligence is forcing Google to rethink search - and its future. As usage shifts and rivals close in, will it adapt in time, or become a cautionary tale of disrupted disruptors?

Investment strategies

Study supports what many suspected about passive investing

The surge in passive investing doesn’t just mirror the market—it shapes it, often amplifying the rise of the largest firms and creating new risks and opportunities. For investors, understanding these effects is essential.

Property

Should we dump stamp duties for land taxes?

Economists have long flagged the idea of swapping property taxes for land taxes for fairness and equity reasons. This looks at why what seems fairer may not deliver the outcomes that we expect.

Investing

Being human means being a bad investor

Many of the behaviours that have made humans such a successful species also make it difficult for us to be good, long-term investors. The key to better decision making is to understand what makes us human and adapt.

Sponsors

Alliances

© 2025 Morningstar, Inc. All rights reserved.

Disclaimer
The data, research and opinions provided here are for information purposes; are not an offer to buy or sell a security; and are not warranted to be correct, complete or accurate. Morningstar, its affiliates, and third-party content providers are not responsible for any investment decisions, damages or losses resulting from, or related to, the data and analyses or their use. To the extent any content is general advice, it has been prepared for clients of Morningstar Australasia Pty Ltd (ABN: 95 090 665 544, AFSL: 240892), without reference to your financial objectives, situation or needs. For more information refer to our Financial Services Guide. You should consider the advice in light of these matters and if applicable, the relevant Product Disclosure Statement before making any decision to invest. Past performance does not necessarily indicate a financial product’s future performance. To obtain advice tailored to your situation, contact a professional financial adviser. Articles are current as at date of publication.
This website contains information and opinions provided by third parties. Inclusion of this information does not necessarily represent Morningstar’s positions, strategies or opinions and should not be considered an endorsement by Morningstar.