Q2 Market Update: Tariffs Take Centerstage

Q2 Market Update: Tariffs Take Centerstage

First in a series

As we progress into Q2 2025, the disposable glove market and the rest of the business world are fixated on the impact of tariffs. Naturally, this is one of the main topics for our Q2 Market Update and will continue to be dynamic throughout the coming weeks.

As of mid-April, the U.S. government has implemented tariffs of up to 145% on all products from China and 10% on products from across the globe. It appears to be using the potential of additional tariffs as leverage or a tool to remake trade agreements worldwide. However, that may further scramble supply chains and trade flows that are already changing as companies seek alternatives to China as the source of their goods.

Experts say the result could be a domino effect of protectionism, with countries turning inward and raising tariffs in response to American trade barriers. The upheaval could also generate a new cast of regional alliances and ultimately reduce the importance of the United States in trade with Asia.

The disposable glove market is likely to feel the impact of trade wars simply because over 90% of production is outside of the United States and is beholden to global supply and logistics networks.

Download our Q2 Disposable Glove Market Update.

For Industrial Hand Protection, Gloveworks Nitrile Is the Solution

It’s safe to say that in the manufacturing industry, hand protection is a priority.

From working with machinery to encountering chemicals and hazardous materials to protecting products from contamination, single-use gloves factor into just about any scenario that involves making things. Some jobs require specialty protection like extra-thick neoprene, cut-resistant, or “armored” and padded work gloves, but just about everyone needs some degree of hand safety.

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Does Double-Gloving Increase Safety?

In medical use, double-gloving—wearing one pair of gloves over another—is commonplace.

Healthcare professionals, always looking for extra protection from bloodborne pathogens, germs, viruses, and bacteria, have long double-gloved when the fear of contamination is high. In the early days of the pandemic, even with widespread glove shortages, an extra pair of gloves was seen not as an extravagance but a necessity.

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Does the Color of Industrial Gloves Make a Difference? Only If You Make It So

Color is important in any discussion of disposable gloves, even if there are no industry standards for different colors of gloves. What makes it important is what you and your company do with it: Creating a color-coding scheme can prove beneficial in a variety of ways, from hygiene to general organization.

Thirty-five years ago, when AMMEX was just getting started, industrial gloves came in essentially two variations: ivory or off-white for latex, and for vinyl and poly, opaque or transparent.

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Can You Improve Meat Processing Safety by Double-Gloving?

In a fast-paced environment like meat processing, it can be challenging to maintain high safety ratings.

The industry operates under stringent hygiene regulations to prevent contamination and ensure food safety. Single-use nitrile gloves are integral to meeting those standards. Unlike latex gloves, nitrile gloves are resistant to oils, fats, and chemicals, which makes them ideal for handling meat products.

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