Tariffs & the printer industry

[Mako]

You must work in a different industry than I do. I had an outstanding month of March selling new copiers to eager customers.

Almost all of the cpc clicks lost during COVID have returned.

So you had one good month in March. I had a great month in January. That doesn't mean the trend is anything but down in the entire industry. By the way, the covid years were some of the best years for selling copiers ever which is part of the reason sales are down now.

[SalesServiceGuy]

China targets U.S. services and other areas as it decries ‘meaningless’ tariff hikes on goods

• While the Trump administration has largely focused on pressing ahead on his tariff plans, Beijing has rolled out a series of non-tariff restrictive measures.
• China is seen by some as seeking to broaden the trade war to encompass services trade — which covers travel, legal, consulting and financial services — where the U.S. has been running a significant surplus with China for years.
• “Beijing is clearly signaling to Washington that two can play in this retaliation game and that it has many levers to pull, all creating different levels of pain for U.S. companies,” said Wendy Cutler, vice president at Asia Society Policy Institute.

China last week announced it was done retaliating against U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs, saying any further increases by the U.S. would be a “joke,” and Beijing would “ignore” them.

Instead of continuing to focus on tariffing goods, however, China has chosen to resort to other measures, including steps targeting the American services sector.


... the USA is increadingly looking to be lead by a dangerous fool in the eyes of the world.

[SalesServiceGuy]

So you had one good month in March. I had a great month in January. That doesn't mean the trend is anything but down in the entire industry. By the way, the covid years were some of the best years for selling copiers ever which is part of the reason sales are down now.

... however you want to frame it, the sky is not falling on the copier/printer industry. Are sales going to slow in the USA because of the tariff shocks to the industry resulting in higher costs being passed down by OEMs to dealers and distributors, certainly.

[bsm2]

... however you want to frame it, the sky is not falling on the copier/printer industry. Are sales going to slow in the USA because of the tariff shocks to the industry resulting in higher costs being passed down by OEMs to dealers and distributors, certainly.

Kiss your raises goodbye as increase cost thats the first thing on the chopping block as well as no new hires and also cutting deadwood employees to save money.

[Mako]

... however you want to frame it, the sky is not falling on the copier/printer industry. Are sales going to slow in the USA because of the tariff shocks to the industry resulting in higher costs being passed down by OEMs to dealers and distributors, certainly.

Things have been declining for a couple of years now. Has nothing to do with elections or tariffs. Its got to do with consumer demand for our products which is going the way of the fax machine.

[Mako]

Kiss your raises goodbye as increase cost thats the first thing on the chopping block as well as no new hires and also cutting deadwood employees to save money.

Raises? I work on commission. I don't get raises. If I want a raise, I give it to myself by selling more.

[Mako]

... however you want to frame it, the sky is not falling on the copier/printer industry. Are sales going to slow in the USA because of the tariff shocks to the industry resulting in higher costs being passed down by OEMs to dealers and distributors, certainly.

I just got off the phone with our regional rep at US Bank Equipment Finance and he told me that their numbers on office equipment leasing are down 20% from a year ago. This trend isn't Turnip or Biden's fault. Its not tariffs either. Its just an industry in decline.

[SalesServiceGuy]

Things have been declining for a couple of years now. Has nothing to do with elections or tariffs. Its got to do with consumer demand for our products which is going the way of the fax machine.

... totally disagree. You need to change your business model as to how you sell copiers. Do you sell solutions? How many copiers have you flipped from your competitors lately?

[SalesServiceGuy]

I just got off the phone with our regional rep at US Bank Equipment Finance and he told me that their numbers on office equipment leasing are down 20% from a year ago. This trend isn't Turnip or Biden's fault. Its not tariffs either. Its just an industry in decline.

... perhaps US Bank Financial is not the best deal out there for financing copiers these days. Try an alternate vendor.

Perhaps your US Bank customers are opting to purchase their copiers and fiancing them internally.

I am in Canada and US Bank Financial does not exist here plus there are different financial regulations.

Everyday in your market copiers are being upgraded by your competitors that you know nothing about.

[Mako]

The facts and statistics are not on your side here.

[SalesServiceGuy]

... which facts & statistics are you referring to?

[SalesServiceGuy]

HP Pulls Plug on China as Factories Halt U.S. Shipments.

Trump-Era Trade Tensions Resurface: HP, Foxconn, and Quanta Halt China Shipments Amid Push to Abandon Chinese Manufacturing.

By Tonernews.com, Hollywood, Florida 04 16, 2025. In a dramatic turn that signals the lasting impact of Trump-era trade policies, tech giant HP and its key Chinese-based manufacturing partners—Foxconn and Quanta—are shutting down production lines and halting shipments to the United States. While the tech industry has long relied on China as the heart of its supply chain, a combination of escalating geopolitical tensions and resurgent protectionist policies is now forcing companies to rethink everything.

Factories Go Dark as U.S.-China Tech Cold War Heats Up
According to Nikkei and The Register, production lines linked to HP in China have gone silent, with Foxconn and Quanta suspending operations and withholding shipments bound for the U.S. One worker at a Quanta plant told TrendForce that overtime hours have “collapsed,” and there’s no clear timeline for reopening. It’s not just a slowdown—it’s a signal that the U.S.-China trade rift is once again reshaping global industry.

HP Makes Its Exit: 90% of North American Production Leaving China
HP has officially declared its intention to pull nearly all its North American manufacturing out of China by the end of its 2025 fiscal year. The move is being framed as a supply chain “diversification strategy,” but in reality, it’s the latest chapter in a high-stakes economic divorce catalyzed by former President Donald Trump’s trade war. Tariffs, blacklists, and anti-China rhetoric lit the fuse years ago—now the fallout is accelerating.

The Trump Legacy: Tariffs Still Reshaping the Tech World
At the heart of this shift lies the continued pressure of tariffs first imposed under the Trump administration. Though President Biden hasn’t rolled them back, their original purpose—to force companies out of China—is now bearing fruit. The latest 10% tariff on Chinese goods, reported by EMSNow, is just one piece of the puzzle. For companies like HP, staying in China means absorbing extra costs, regulatory risks, and political blowback.

And let’s be clear: this isn’t just economic strategy—it’s political optics. In an election season where “Made in America” is a winning slogan for both parties, distancing from China isn’t just smart supply chain management. It’s survival.

Factories Close, Workers Pay the Price
While American executives may celebrate the pivot, workers in China are already feeling the burn. At Quanta’s facility, hours have plummeted, and many production lines are expected to remain closed indefinitely. This wave of factory stagnation could ripple through China’s manufacturing hubs, hitting not just workers, but regional economies dependent on U.S. tech contracts.

Mexico, Vietnam, Thailand: The New Manufacturing Triangle
HP, like Apple and others, is shifting investment to countries that have stayed mostly neutral in the U.S.-China rivalry. Vietnam and Thailand offer cheaper labor and fewer geopolitical headaches. Mexico offers proximity to the U.S. and a free-trade edge under the USMCA. As the tech world scrambles to avoid getting caught in the crossfire, a new manufacturing map is being drawn—one that sidelines China in ways that would have seemed unthinkable just a decade ago.

From Trade War to Tech War: What’s Next?
This isn’t just about printers and laptops—it’s about global power. The Trump administration planted the seeds of economic decoupling. Now, companies like HP are harvesting the consequences. Whether this strategy truly benefits American consumers or workers remains debatable. What’s undeniable is that the China tech exodus is real—and it’s accelerating.

[SalesServiceGuy]

Xerox to Disband the Lexmark Brand?
Xerox’s acquisition of Lexmark is set to bring a swift and uncertain end to the Lexmark brand. According to multiple reports from TheLayoff.com, Xerox plans to completely disband Lexmark, meaning it will no longer exist in any recognizable form.

This move has left many employees worried about their futures, as Xerox is reportedly struggling with limited resources and cash flow. Sources indicate that layoffs and outsourcing, particularly to companies like HCL, are imminent. With Xerox pushing for a “virtual company” model, non-customer-facing roles are expected to be the first on the chopping block.


Check out the good feeling Lexmark folks have about Xerox buying them.


From the Lemark section of thelayoff.com (I feel bad for those folks knowing having their company go down the sewer)

Xerox will disband the Lexmark brand - it will no longer exist. My advice is start looking now and take your skills to a new business.

XRX does not have any resources. Remaining employees have no skills and cash is very low. Expect layoffs in each entity and acceleration of offshoring. The XRX SLT believes in a virtual company - the less employees the better. They are also reckless about who the let go so dont think your special skills will keep you employed.

I worked for Xerox for 25+ years, my advice to Lexmark employees is run away and do it fast.
Xerox will not be good for the Lexmark brand, customers or employees, get the heck out quick.

Any non customer facing employees will be let go. Xerox outsourced everything.

there will be layoffs and outsourcing to HCL. better plan your exit now

[Mako]

Thanks for making my point. Its an industry in decline.

[SalesServiceGuy]

Xerox to Disband the Lexmark Brand?
Xerox’s acquisition of Lexmark is set to bring a swift and uncertain end to the Lexmark brand. According to multiple reports from TheLayoff.com, Xerox plans to completely disband Lexmark, meaning it will no longer exist in any recognizable form.

This move has left many employees worried about their futures, as Xerox is reportedly struggling with limited resources and cash flow. Sources indicate that layoffs and outsourcing, particularly to companies like HCL, are imminent. With Xerox pushing for a “virtual company” model, non-customer-facing roles are expected to be the first on the chopping block.


Check out the good feeling Lexmark folks have about Xerox buying them.


From the Lemark section of thelayoff.com (I feel bad for those folks knowing having their company go down the sewer)

Xerox will disband the Lexmark brand - it will no longer exist. My advice is start looking now and take your skills to a new business.

XRX does not have any resources. Remaining employees have no skills and cash is very low. Expect layoffs in each entity and acceleration of offshoring. The XRX SLT believes in a virtual company - the less employees the better. They are also reckless about who the let go so dont think your special skills will keep you employed.

I worked for Xerox for 25+ years, my advice to Lexmark employees is run away and do it fast.
Xerox will not be good for the Lexmark brand, customers or employees, get the heck out quick.

Any non customer facing employees will be let go. Xerox outsourced everything.

there will be layoffs and outsourcing to HCL. better plan your exit now

... it appears Xerox plans to bury the Lexmark brand does not apply equally across the world. Lexmark USA may continue whereas Lexmark Australia is likely gone.