Key Takeaways:
- Tariffs increase costs for businesses, often leading to higher consumer prices, lower profit margins, or supply chain adjustments.
- Importers pay tariffs at customs, but businesses and consumers ultimately bear the financial burden through higher costs.
- Companies can reduce tariff exposure by diversifying suppliers, improving transfer pricing, and using trade agreements.
—
There’s a lot of talk about tariffs these days. Here’s a quick primer on how they work, how they can affect your business, and potential strategies to reduce their financial impact.
What Are Tariffs?
Tariffs are taxes imposed by governments on imported goods, often intended to protect domestic industries, generate revenue, or respond to trade disputes. While they serve as a tool of economic policy, tariffs create real financial consequences for businesses — affecting pricing, supply chains, and profitability. They can also influence trade relationships between countries, leading to retaliatory tariffs that further disrupt global commerce.
For companies engaged in international trade, it’s critical to understand tariffs to manage costs and stay competitive. The financial impact of tariffs depends on many factors — including the countries involved, the type of goods being imported, and whether trade agreements offer relief.
How Tariffs Affect Businesses
Tariffs can significantly impact costs and operations, particularly for businesses that rely on imported goods. Higher expenses often result in increased consumer prices, lower profit margins, or shifts in sourcing and supply chain restructuring to reduce exposure.
For example, if a U.S. company imports raw materials from Canada, a 25% tariff on those goods raises production costs. The company must then decide whether to pass these costs on to customers, absorb them, or seek alternative suppliers. Over time, tariff-related costs can reshape supply chains, pricing strategies, and profitability.
Who Pays for Tariffs?
Although tariffs are imposed by governments, businesses and consumers ultimately bear the financial burden. Importers pay the tariff at customs, but the costs often get passed down the supply chain, leading to higher retail prices. In highly competitive industries, businesses may struggle to raise prices without losing customers — making it necessary to find other ways to offset the added expense.
While shifting supply chains away from China has been a common response to rising tariffs, the reality is more complex. Many countries that could serve as alternative manufacturing hubs lack the infrastructure or scale to quickly support demand across industries. And because tariff environments are highly unpredictable — shaped by shifting political priorities and international negotiations — these countries are often hesitant to invest in new production capabilities.
There is widespread concern that tariffs on Chinese goods could be reduced just as quickly as they were imposed, prompting U.S. businesses to return to China for its established manufacturing base, cost efficiency, and consistent service. This uncertainty makes long-term sourcing decisions more difficult, reinforcing the need for flexible, responsive supply chain strategies.
Industry-Specific Tariff Impacts
While tariffs affect nearly all industries engaged in global trade, some sectors are more exposed than others.
Construction and Real Estate
The U.S. currently imposes a 14.54% tariff on Canadian softwood lumber (as of August 2024). When combined with anti-dumping and countervailing duties, the effective tariff rate on Canadian lumber approaches 40%. This tariff impacts the construction and real estate industry by increasing construction costs, making housing and commercial development more expensive. Canada has challenged these duties, arguing they harm the Canadian timber sector, while the U.S. defends them as necessary to counter government subsidies.
In addition to lumber, other key construction materials such as steel and aluminum are also subject to tariffs. Steel prices have increased 15% to 25% since January, and aluminum is up 8% to 10%, driven in part by market anticipation of expanded tariff measures. Overall, the cost of building materials has risen by 34% since December 2020 — placing sustained financial pressure on developers and contractors. The current administration has signaled plans to double existing tariffs on Canadian lumber to 34.5%, a move that could further escalate building costs and intensify U.S.-Canada trade tensions.
Manufacturing and Distribution
Tariffs affect the manufacturing and distribution sector by increasing the cost of imported inputs, components, and equipment. From industrial machinery to essential raw materials like steel, aluminum, and chemicals, tariff rates — which can range from 2% to 25% depending on the product and country of origin — create added financial pressure across production lines. These costs impact both domestic manufacturers and U.S. distributors who depend on global suppliers to remain competitive.
In today’s shifting trade landscape, companies must remain nimble, adapting quickly to supply chain disruptions, pricing volatility, and shifting sourcing opportunities. While some have pursued reshoring or diversified their supplier base, the unpredictability of tariff policies continues to demand flexible, forward-looking planning.
Cannabis Industry
Although cannabis is not yet legalized at the federal level in the U.S., businesses involved in cultivation, packaging, and equipment sourcing still feel the effects of trade policies. Many cannabis companies rely on imported materials — such as LED lighting, vape hardware, and specialty fertilizers. Tariffs on Chinese-made products have significantly raised costs, affecting dispensary pricing and profit margins. Some companies have looked to move manufacturing or negotiate better sourcing agreements to offset these expenses.
Food and Wine
The food and beverage industry faces substantial challenges due to tariffs, particularly in the import of ingredients, packaged foods, and alcohol. Nearly 60% of fruits and nuts consumed in the U.S. are imported, along with significant portions of grains, sweeteners, and vegetables. Tariffs on these goods contribute to rising food prices — affecting restaurants, grocery retailers, and supply chains.
Wine imports have also been hit by tariffs, leading to higher costs for restaurants and retailers. Recent policy changes have raised import duties on European wines, driving up prices for both businesses and consumers. This has forced some companies to explore domestic alternatives, though sourcing shifts take time and may not fully offset cost increases.
How Businesses Can Mitigate Tariffs
Companies can take proactive steps to manage tariff exposure and reduce financial strain, including:
- Supply chain diversification: Sourcing materials from tariff-free regions or shifting production locations can help reduce costs and limit exposure to trade disputes.
- Transfer pricing strategies: Adjusting intercompany pricing structures for international transactions may offer tax efficiencies and improve cash flow management.
- Trade agreements and policy advocacy: Staying informed on trade regulations and using agreements can provide relief, while engaging with policymakers may help shape favorable outcomes.
Final Thoughts
Tariffs are a key factor in global trade — influencing pricing strategies, supply chains, and financial planning. For businesses engaged in international commerce, understanding and managing tariff exposure is no longer optional; it’s essential. One of the greatest challenges companies face is not just the cost of tariffs themselves, but the uncertainty surrounding them. Rates can shift quickly, timing of implementation is often unpredictable, and geopolitical tensions or trade negotiations can introduce rapid changes in policy. This lack of consistency makes it difficult for businesses to forecast costs, manage inventory, or make long-term investment decisions.
Developing strategies to manage these risks — whether through supply chain diversification, transfer pricing adjustments, or using trade agreements — can help reduce the financial impact and build operational resilience. By staying informed and preparing for multiple scenarios, businesses can better adapt to a volatile trade environment and avoid being caught off guard.
How MGO Can Help
We provide strategic tax and advisory services to help your business navigate the complexities of international trade. Our team offers insights that support smarter decision-making.