A presidential order introduces an additional 10% tariff on most imports from 5 April, with country-specific rates announced for later application and exemptions for specified categories. The landscape is likely to remain subject to change and legal challenge.
Planning against a policy that is still moving is its own problem, separate from the tariff itself.
The business thought
Small importers have far less room than large firms to absorb duty, reroute sourcing or negotiate supplier concessions. The same percentage lands differently depending on how much leverage you have.
Tariffs also hit working capital before they show up in reported margins, because the tax is paid at import. A business can be squeezed for months before its accounts show why.
The practical watch
Confirm product classification, country of origin and who is contractually responsible for duty. Those three determine the bill, and the third is frequently assumed rather than checked.
Model landed cost line by line, shorten quote validity, and build repricing triggers into customer agreements. A twelve-month price held against a moving tariff is a decision to absorb it.
Related reading
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Source: White House reciprocal tariff order.