Liberty Tabletop Featured in The Wall Street Journal: What Tariffs Mean for American-Made Flatware
*WSJ Article Written by Rush Simons 09/01/2025 - Photographs by Heather Ainsworth for WSJ
SHERRILL, N.Y. — September 2, 2025 — At Liberty Tabletop, we’ve always believed that Made in the USA isn’t just a label — it’s a promise. And now, that promise is making headlines. On September 1, The Wall Street Journal profiled Liberty Tabletop in its article “American-Made Businesses Are Clamoring to Get on This Tariff List”. The story spotlighted our role as America’s last stainless-steel flatware manufacturer and the significance of the newly expanded tariffs on imported goods.
Tariffs Reshape the Playing Field
On August 19, 2025, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced that 407 additional product categories are now subject to Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum, part of a formal inclusions process published in the Federal Register. Earlier this summer, duties on covered steel and aluminum products increased to 50%.
Separately, the government ended the long-standing “de minimis” exemption, which previously allowed most imports valued under $800 to enter duty-free. Small parcels from foreign e-commerce sellers will now be subject to tariffs or fixed fees, raising costs and extending transit times for many imported goods.
For decades, imported flatware undercut U.S. producers, making it nearly impossible to compete on price alone. Now, tariff protections are beginning to level the field, providing new momentum for U.S. manufacturers like Liberty Tabletop.
Greg Owens on a Turning Point for Manufacturing
Greg Owens, Co-Founder and Chairman of Sherrill Manufacturing, described the impact of this moment in his interview with The Wall Street Journal:
“It’s been a moment of ‘Wow’… It’s been so much work and so long to get some of these victories.”
Owens also noted the broader policy implications: “There is still work to be done. The reciprocal tariffs are being challenged in court by parties that are still hanging on to a globalist agenda or by those who simply have a partisan political agenda. Enforcement, particularly within government procurement, is another issue that needs to be addressed. In the end, the pendulum seems to be swinging back hard in our direction, and I am hopeful that we will continue to see progress that benefits American manufacturing, the American worker, and the many communities that have suffered for decades.”
A Legacy and a Dream
For Matthew Roberts, CEO and Co-Founder, this story is deeply personal:
“I’ve worked in this building for nearly 35 years, and for more than 150 years generations of families have worked here as well. My grandfather once stood on this factory floor, as did my mother-in-law and brother-in-law. Today, my wife Alice, my son Andrew, and my brother-in-law Tim are still here, helping to keep our dream alive. This building is steeped in history and carrying that legacy forward with my family is a profound honor. But beyond our own family story, being able to say our products are completely Made in the USA is more than an honor — it’s a living example of the American dream: hard work, opportunity, and the pride of building something lasting right here at home.”
What “Made in the USA” Means to Us
Amity Messett, Director of Marketing, added:
“Made in the USA isn’t just what we do — it’s who we are. Every step, from start to finish, takes place here in Sherrill, N.Y., something few other manufacturers can truly say. For us, that phrase isn’t only about patriotism — it’s about our neighborhoods, our jobs, and the quality craftsmanship built by hardworking hands right here. And because every part of our products is Made in the USA, they are not subject to the tariffs that are now raising costs for so many imported goods.”
Why It Matters
The expansion of Section 232 tariffs has put hundreds of new categories of steel- and aluminum-containing products on the list — from bulldozers and farm equipment to dumbbells and flatware. For many businesses that rely on imports, this means higher costs and supply chain uncertainty. For Liberty Tabletop, it means recognition of the value we’ve held onto all along: American craftsmanship, quality you can trust, and products that keep jobs in our communities.
Looking Ahead
Founded in 2005 out of the historic Oneida Ltd. works in Sherrill, New York, Sherrill Manufacturing produces Liberty Tabletop flatware with U.S.-made steel and American labor. The company has seen increased interest from consumers, hospitality, and even government agencies making a conscious effort to purchase from American manufacturers.
We’re proud to be recognized by The Wall Street Journal, but even prouder of what this moment represents — a future where American manufacturing can thrive again.