Item 1A. Risk Factors
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Our business and results of operations may be adversely affected by uncertainty and changes in U.S. trade policies, including tariffs, trade agreements or other trade restrictions imposed by the U.S. or other governments.
Our business and results of operations may be adversely affected by uncertainty and changes in U.S. trade policies, including tariffs, trade agreements or other trade restrictions imposed by the U.S. or other governments. For example, effective on June 4, 2025, the U.S. government imposed a 50% tariff on steel and aluminum imports except on imports from the U.K. Several tariff announcements have been followed by announcements of limited exemptions and temporary pauses. These actions have caused substantial uncertainty and volatility in financial markets and may result in retaliatory measures on U.S. goods. Retaliatory measures might affect export of oil and gas products and have an adverse impact on domestic production and prices, which might affect our results of operations adversely.
Our business requires access to steel and other materials to construct and maintain our pipelines and other midstream assets. Imposition of, or increase in, tariffs on imports of steel or other materials, as well as corresponding price increases for such materials available domestically, could increase our construction costs and our costs to maintain our assets. To the extent that we are unable to pass all or any such cost increases on to our customers, such cost increases could adversely affect our returns on investment. Higher material costs could also diminish our ability to develop new projects at acceptable returns, particularly during times of economic uncertainty, and limit our ability to pursue growth opportunities.
Tariffs or other trade restrictions may lead to continuing uncertainty and volatility in U.S. and global financial and economic conditions and commodity markets, declining consumer confidence, significant inflation and diminished expectations for the economy, and ultimately reduced demand for our and our customers’ products and services. Such conditions could have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations and cash flows. Also, disruptions and volatility in the financial markets may lead to adverse changes in the availability, terms and cost of capital. Changes in tariffs and trade restrictions can be announced with little or no advance notice. The adoption and expansion of tariffs or other trade restrictions, increasing trade tensions, or other changes in governmental policies related to taxes, tariffs, trade agreements or policies, are difficult to predict, which makes attendant risks difficult to anticipate and mitigate. If we are unable to navigate further changes in U.S. or international trade policy, it could have a material adverse impact on our business and results of operations.
For other risk factors, please refer to Part II, Item 1A — “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 filed on March 3, 2025.
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