Tariffs could increase the price of your favorite canned beverages and much more

HONOLULU (KHON2) — President Trump is enacting a number of proclamations, such as a 25% tariff on aluminum, steel and eliminating previous exemptions. Here’s a look at how it could impact Hawaii.

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Aluminum is in everything from pots and pans, cooking foil, soda cans, airplanes, cars, buildings and even bridges. That’s why the 25% tariff on aluminum and steel announced by the president has some lawmakers concerned.

“It’s disturbing to see anything increase by 25% of the price you’re used to,” Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole, the Commerce and Consumer Protection committee chair, said. “It will take some time, I think, for us to really understand how it’s going to impact the goods we buy. But 25% is a big enough number that we’ll feel it.”

Many popular local juices, sodas and other beverages come in aluminum cans.

“I certainly expect tariffs to increase the cost of aluminum here in America, as well as the cost of beer eventually, and soda and water and anything else that comes out of an aluminum can,” said Maui Brewing Co. CEO and co-founder Garrett Marrero.

But he said it doesn’t mean the cost of the product will jump 25% because the raw aluminum is what’s being taxed.

“Currently, most aluminum in America comes from Canada, and whether or not this applies to Canadian aluminum, you know, long term, who knows?” he said.

According to Marrero, large companies like Ball that manufacture aluminum will feel the brunt of the tax and it will trickle down to consumers.

“I’d say we’re probably four to six months away from a blip in can price changes,” Marrero said.

Sen. Keohokalole said construction projects would be most affected.

“Highway and bridge projects, construction projects where you’re laying rebar or where you need to use sheet metal,” he said. “We don’t need any more disruption to the cost of living especially when it comes to building new housing. Affordable housing is mostly high rises so that’s where I think a lot of the concern is coming from.”

He said it could potentially cause disruptions to the building industry but right now, nothing is set in stone.

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“How long it’s going to take for us to feel that or exactly how it’s going to impact us is really going to take some time to understand,” he said.

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