US Crane Giant Manitowoc Wins Tariff Battle Against Japanese Imports

Crane manufacturer Manitowoc has won a federal anti-dumping decision against Japanese manufacturers of lattice boom crawler cranes, a ruling that will subject those companies to new tariffs on units entering the United States.

The U.S. International Trade Commission and Department of Commerce affirmed Manitowoc's complaint on 23 July, following an investigation into pricing practices among Japanese crane makers. Manitowoc's brands include Manitowoc, Grove, Potain and National Crane.

Manitowoc filed its original complaint with the ITC on 10 April 2025, alleging that Japanese competitors were selling units below fair value in violation of the Tariff Act of 1930. The company argued this practice was materially injuring the domestic lattice boom crawler crane industry.

Link-Belt, owned by Japanese conglomerate Sumitomo Heavy Industries, said in a statement issued 24 July that it would challenge the decision, describing it as containing significant errors and running afoul of the law. Kobelco also faces increased duties under the ruling, along with all other Japanese lattice boom crane manufacturers.

Aaron H. Ravenscroft, president and chief executive of the Manitowoc Company, said the decision helps restore fair competition in the marketplace and supports the long term strength of the company's U.S. manufacturing operations and workforce.

An earlier preliminary report issued by the ITC in January 2026 had found Kobelco subject to a 2.79 percent weighted average dumping margin, while Sumitomo received a zero percent margin at that stage. All other Japanese manufacturers were assessed at 2.79 percent under the preliminary findings.

Following the affirmation, the Department of Commerce issued a new anti-dumping order directing U.S. Customs and Border Protection to assess duties equal to the difference between the normal value of the cranes and their export price into the United States.

The final duty order set higher weighted average dumping margins than the preliminary findings. Kobelco Construction Machinery now faces a 12.36 percent margin, Sumitomo Heavy Industries Construction Cranes faces 20 percent, and all other Japanese manufacturers face 16.18 percent.

These duties apply to Japanese lattice boom crawler cranes imported on or after 16 January 2026, with an exception carved out for the window between 15 and 19 July 2026.

U.S. Census Bureau data show 310 Japanese lattice boom crawler cranes were imported into the country in 2024, down from 390 the previous year. Those 310 units were valued at a combined $178 million.