Big Picture: New Tariffs on the Horizon
As of April 2, 2025, President Donald Trump rolled out a sweeping new tariff plan likely to shake up international trade, pricing strategies, and supply chain planning. Whether you’re bringing in goods from overseas, managing multiple vendors, or just trying to stay ahead of market shifts, this is one to keep an eye on—even if the impact isn’t immediate for your business.
Here’s what’s changing, when it kicks in, and why it matters.
The Basics of the April 2025 Tariff Plan
The announcement—coined “Liberation Day” by Trump—sets up two significant changes: a flat import tariff on everything coming into the U.S. and a second layer of higher tariffs targeting specific countries. The goal? Encourage more domestic production and rebalance long-standing trade relationships.
Effective Dates
- April 5, 2025: A 10% universal tariff applies to all imports, regardless of origin.
- April 9, 2025: Higher reciprocal tariffs begin targeting selected countries with a history of trade surpluses with the U.S.
Tariff Tiers by Country (Effective April 9, 2025)
Note: All of the countries listed below, with the exception of Canada and Mexico for non-USMCA eligible entries and China, which already has in place under Section 301 and IEEPA tariffs added since he returned to office, will see 10% starting on April 5th and will be increased to the amount below on April 9th.
- China – 54%
- European Union – 20%
- Germany – 30%
- India – 24%
- Japan – 27%
- South Korea – 18%
- United Kingdom – 16%
- Vietnam – 46%
What’s Driving This Policy?
The stated goals of the tariff plan are to:
- Revitalize American manufacturing
- Realign global trade relationships
- Pressure trading partners to revise trade practices
- Close, long-standing trade deficits
The move continues Trump-era strategies that were last seen in his 2017–2020 presidency, though the scope of these new tariffs is broader and more immediate.
What This Means for Supply Chains
Even if your imports aren’t directly targeted, we will feel the ripple effects across multiple sectors. Key implications may include:
- Higher landed costs on imported goods, especially electronics, textiles, auto parts, and industrial components.
- Shifts in routing and sourcing as companies seek to diversify or nearshore.
- Delays at customs as tariff classifications are reassessed.
- Increased pressure on compliance teams to stay ahead of rule changes.
- Potential retaliatory actions from foreign governments, which could affect exports.
What You Can Start Doing Now
Some importers might play the waiting game, but others are already rolling up their sleeves. If you’re looking to stay ahead of the curve, here are a few moves worth making:
- Take a fresh look at your supplier list—especially where your goods are coming from.
- Rerun the numbers on your key products to see how new tariffs might shake things up.
- Check-in with your customs broker (hey, that’s us) to make sure everything’s classified correctly.
- Think about diversifying your sourcing—especially from regions not affected by these new rates.
- Put together a flexible plan in case shipping routes or timelines start to shift.
Stay Ready, Stay Nimble
The next few months will tell whether these new tariffs will stick or shift again. Keep an eye on trade updates, stay open to adjusting your sourcing strategy, and make sure your documentation is solid. We’re here to help you stay flexible and informed—through it all.
