The availability of certain critical raw materials, such as steel, nickel, monel, inconel, aluminum, stainless steel, and other alloys, is subject to factors that are not within our control. At any given time, we may be unable to obtain an adequate supply of these critical raw materials on a timely basis, at prices and other terms acceptable to us, or at all.
If suppliers increase the price of critical raw materials or are unwilling or unable to meet our demand, we may not have alternative sources of supply. In addition, to the extent that we have existing contracts or have quoted prices to customers and accepted customer orders for products prior to purchasing the necessary raw materials, we may be unable to raise the price of products to cover all or part of the increased cost of the raw materials.
The manufacture of some of our products is a complex process and requires long lead times. As a result, we may experience delays or shortages in the supply of raw materials. If we are unable to obtain adequate and timely deliveries of required raw materials, we may be unable to complete our manufacturing projects and deliver finished products on a timely basis. This could cause us to lose sales, incur additional costs, delay new product introductions, or suffer harm to our reputation.
In addition, costs of certain critical raw materials have been volatile due to factors beyond our control. Raw material costs are included in our contracts with customers, but in some cases, we are exposed to changes in raw material costs from the time purchase orders are placed to when we purchase the raw materials for production. Changes in business conditions could adversely affect our ability to recover rapid increases in raw material costs and may adversely affect our results of operations.
Additionally, changes in international trade duties and other aspects of international trade policy, both in the U.S. and abroad, could materially impact the cost of raw materials. For example, from March 2018 until March 2021, the U.S. imposed an additional 25% tariff under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, as amended, on steel products imported into the U.S. While these tariffs have mostly been lifted on imports from countries other than the Peoples' Republic of China, imports from many jurisdictions are subject to limitations on volume, after which substantial tariffs will be reimposed. The U.S. also imposed a 10% tariff on all aluminum imports into the United States, with initial exemptions for aluminum imported from certain U.S. trading partners. Such actions could increase steel and aluminum costs and decrease supply availability. In response to the invasion of Ukraine by the military forces of the Russian Federation, the United States, the European Union and other jurisdictions have imposed sanctions that, among other things, prohibit the importation of a wide array of commodities and products from Russia, which is a major global supplier of nickel. Any increase in nickel, steel and/or aluminum prices that is not offset by an increase in our prices could have an adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operations or cash flows. In addition, if we are unable to acquire timely nickel, steel or aluminum supplies, we may need to decline bid and order opportunities, which could also have an adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operations or cash flows.