Last week, the U.S. trade landscape shifted—again.

President Trump’s newly announced a tariff level the US has not seen in over 100 years.  

As someone who’s spent the past 3 decades working with U.S. and European brands on supply chain strategy, I’ve seen how even small shifts in trade policy can cause ripple effects—from last-minute vendor changes to abandoned orders mid-season. But this isn’t just a ripple. This is a wave.
 

So, what’s the immediate impact? 

• Cost increases. Even if there are successful negotiations between the US and certain key countries it is unlikely that all tariffs will return to historical norms.  Margin pressure across categories will occur—especially for brands still sourcing heavily from China.

• Sourcing shakeups. Teams are already accelerating moves to diversify vendor bases, but shifting away from established partnerships takes time and has a set of associated risks. 

• Operational headaches. Increased tariffs will mean more customs complexity, potential delays, and higher input costs as brands try to buffer for uncertainty.
   

In every challenge there is an opportunity and a path forward:

Strategize with your key vendors.  We are in this together and most will be helpful. 

Leverage your network.  In times of challenge talk more.

Embrace technology.  Real-time information can go a long way.

Brands that digitize core processes so they can react faster, reduce rework, understand factory capacities, and maintain quality under pressure while reducing cost are positioned in win despite market conditions beyond one’s control.

Resilience isn’t just a buzzword.

If you're navigating this tariff wave and wondering where to start, let’s talk. There’s an easier way forward. Contact us now to see how we can help stabilize your supply chain.

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Wayne McMann
Business Development, US
Triple Tree Solutions