Why It Matters

Milacron Holdings Corp. retained Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP exclusively to combat Section 232 tariffs that threaten its core business model as a steel and aluminum consumer.

Milacron joins a growing coalition of downstream manufacturers—including the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association and Ingersoll Rand Inc.—all seeking relief from tariffs that increase input costs while foreign competitors enjoy lower material prices.

By the Numbers

The company assembled insider expertise: Sally Stewart Laing served as Chief Counsel for International Trade on the Senate Finance Committee until October 2024, while Zachary W. Paulsen previously worked on the committee’s international trade team.

Two other veterans include:

This revolving-door access provides critical legislative intelligence precisely when Congress is actively debating tariff impacts through hearings and member statements.

The Agenda

Milacron registered to lobby exclusively on Section 232 tariffs affecting steel and aluminum—materials essential for manufacturing injection molding, blow molding, and extrusion equipment for automotive, construction, medical, and packaging industries. The tariffs create cost pressures that threaten competitiveness against lower-cost foreign producers.

The company joins established industry coalitions including the Can Manufacturers Institute and other downstream manufacturers advocating for tariff relief.

Broader Context

Section 232 tariffs have intensified dramatically last year —restored at 25% in February, doubled to 50% in June, and extended to derivative products. For every steel worker, approximately 80 downstream manufacturing workers face higher input costs.

The manufacturing sector shows strain: 59,000 manufacturing jobs lost since April 2025 and eight consecutive months of contraction through October. Goldman Sachs projects tariff costs will increasingly shift to consumers, creating broader political pressure.

Between The Lines

Congressional engagement on tariffs creates both opportunities and challenges. Multiple 2025 hearings addressed manufacturing impacts, including House Oversight’s "Made in the USA: Igniting the Industrial Renaissance" and Senate Small Business Committee’s examination of "adverse effects of tariffs" on manufacturers.

Member sentiment splits sharply. Rep. Adam Smith detailed how tariffs hurt downstream manufacturers, while Sen. Maria Cantwell noted significant cost increases for aerospace and electronics. Conversely, some members like Rep. Frank Mrvan urged upholding steel tariffs.

The Bottom Line

Milacron’s entry into federal lobbying reflects mounting pressure on downstream manufacturers facing compounding input costs from Section 232 tariffs. With specialized expertise from recent Senate Finance Committee veterans, the company enters a crowded but increasingly urgent advocacy space where manufacturing employment is declining and congressional attention is growing.

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