When do the new tariffs take effect and what products will be affected?

The tariffs are scheduled to launch on April 2. While the specific product categories and tariff rates have not been detailed in this announcement, companies should monitor official government trade policy communications and tariff schedules to identify which of their imported goods will be subject to increased duties.

What immediate actions should procurement teams take before April 2?

Supply chain leaders should: (1) analyze current inventory levels and identify fast-moving SKUs that could benefit from pre-tariff inbound acceleration, (2) review supplier contracts for cost pass-through provisions, (3) model tariff cost impacts by product category and geography, (4) evaluate alternative suppliers outside tariff-affected regions, and (5) prepare customer communication strategies for potential price adjustments.

How should companies adjust their sourcing strategy in response to these tariffs?

Organizations should conduct a comprehensive sourcing review examining: nearshoring opportunities to Mexico or Canada (USMCA-aligned suppliers), supplier diversification across non-tariffed countries, domestic sourcing feasibility, and supplier contract renegotiations. This is a strategic priority that may take weeks to fully evaluate and implement.

What is the expected impact on consumer pricing and demand?

Tariffs will increase landed costs for imported goods, potentially leading to retail price increases if companies choose to pass costs to customers. This may dampen consumer demand for price-sensitive categories, creating both inventory and margin pressure. Supply chain teams should collaborate with commercial and finance functions to model demand scenarios and adjust inventory commitments accordingly.

Are there compliance or customs implications I should address now?

Yes. Companies should ensure customs documentation and tariff classification codes are accurate and current. Review trade agreements (USMCA, other FTAs) to determine if products qualify for preferential tariff treatment or exemptions. Engage customs brokers and trade compliance teams to optimize duty management and avoid penalties or delays.

Trade Policy & Tariffs

High Impact

New U.S. Tariffs Set for April 2: Supply Chain Impact

May 29, 2026

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The signal

-based supply chains. This announcement represents a structural shift in trade dynamics, requiring immediate assessment and strategic response from procurement, logistics, and supply chain leadership teams. The timing and scope of these tariffs create urgency for supply chain professionals to evaluate inventory positioning, supplier diversification, and pricing strategies.

Companies reliant on imported goods—from consumer electronics to automotive components to raw materials—face potential cost increases and the need to reassess sourcing decisions. The policy introduces uncertainty around final tariff rates, affected product categories, and potential exemptions, complicating near-term planning. Supply chain teams must act quickly to understand the specific tariff schedules, model cost impacts by product line, and determine whether to accelerate inbound shipments before the April 2 effective date, adjust supplier contracts, or explore alternative sourcing geographies.

This represents a material structural change requiring executive alignment on pricing, margin management, and customer communication strategies.

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#april-2-tariffs

#supply-chain-disruption

#import-costs

#customs

#procurement-planning

#trade-compliance

#pricing-strategy

#global-trade

Frequently Asked Questions

What This Means for Your Supply Chain

Simulation Suggestion

immediate

What if we accelerate 4 weeks of inbound inventory before April 2 to avoid tariffs?

Simulate the impact of bringing forward one month of planned inbound shipments from tariff-affected suppliers to arrive before April 2 tariff implementation. Model cash flow impact, warehouse capacity constraints, inventory carrying costs, and working capital requirements against potential tariff cost avoidance.

Run this scenario

Simulation Suggestion

this month

What if 20% of sourcing shifts to USMCA suppliers to mitigate tariff exposure?

Model the supply chain impact of diversifying 20% of imports from tariff-exposed countries to Mexico or Canada (USMCA-compliant suppliers). Simulate lead time changes, supplier reliability adjustments, total landed cost reductions, and minimum order quantity implications across affected product categories.

Run this scenario

Simulation Suggestion

this week

What if tariff costs increase procurement spend by 5-15% across categories?

Run a cost simulation modeling tariff duty impacts ranging from 5% to 15% on total procurement spend, segmented by product category and supplier geography. Calculate net impact on gross margin, required price adjustments, customer demand elasticity, and inventory valuation adjustments.

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