Tariff & Trade Insights
Expert analysis on U.S. tariff policy, HS code classification, landed cost calculations, and trade compliance strategies for importers.
Fitch Flags Tariff Risk: What Credit Downgrades Mean for SMB Borrowing Costs
Fitch Ratings flagged tariff uncertainty as a major credit risk — and the downstream effects on SMB borrowing are real. Here's how credit downgrades affect your loan rates and what to do about it.
India Pauses U.S. Trade Deal: What It Means for Sourcing from South Asia
India is waiting for the U.S. to finalize its tariff framework before signing a trade deal. Here's what it means for SMBs considering India and South Asia as China sourcing alternatives.
Canada's Dollar-for-Dollar Retaliation: What Cross-Border SMBs Need to Know
Canada is matching U.S. tariffs dollar-for-dollar and proposing a one-for-one auto rule. Here's what American SMBs trading across the border need to know about the impact on exports, imports, and USMCA.
Section 301 Overcapacity Investigation 2026: What Importers Must Know
Updated April 15, 2026: USTR has split this inquiry into 16 overcapacity economies + 60 forced-labor economies, with comments due April 15 and hearings April 28–May 8. See our live tracker for the current country lists and calendar.
Unwrought Palladium From the Russian Federation: Preliminary Affirmative Countervailing Duty Determination
The U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) preliminarily determines that countervailable subsidies are being provided to producers and exporters of unwrought palladium (palladium) from the Russian Federation (Russia). The period of investigation is January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2024. Interested parties are invited to comment on this preliminary determination.
Polypropylene Corrugated Boxes From China; Determinations
The U.S. has imposed new antidumping duties on polypropylene corrugated boxes from China as of March 2026. Find out if your plastic shipping containers are affected and what you need to do now.
Pricing Strategy in the Tariff Era: How to Protect Margins (2026)
With average tariff rates at 17%, nearly half of SMBs are raising prices. But across-the-board hikes are the wrong move. Here's how to adjust pricing surgically, product by product, to protect margins without losing customers.
Industries Hit Hardest by 2026 Tariffs: Steel, Auto, Electronics & More
Steel faces 40% combined rates, GM expects $3-4B in tariff costs, and chips carry up to 100% duties. Here's a sector-by-sector breakdown of which industries are hit hardest by 2026 tariffs and what SMBs can do.
Tariff Refunds for Small Businesses: What the CIT Ruling Means and How to Prepare
The Court of International Trade ordered CBP to refund $166B in IEEPA tariffs. Here's what small businesses need to know about eligibility, documentation, and the realistic timeline for getting money back.
Section 122 Tariffs Explained: The 150-Day Clock on Trump's New Trade Policy
Trump's 15% Section 122 tariff replaced the struck-down IEEPA tariffs on Feb 21, 2026. Learn how the new rate compares, when it expires (July 2026), which imports are exempt, and how to plan your business around the 150-day clock.
Supply Chain Diversification Beyond China: Where to Source in 2026
With China tariffs stacking to 40-65%+, supply chain diversification is urgent. Compare tariff rates, lead times, and total costs for Vietnam, Mexico, India, Thailand, and Indonesia — plus a framework for evaluating your move.
Supreme Court Strikes Down Trump's Tariffs: What the IEEPA Ruling Means for Importers
In a landmark 6–3 decision, the Supreme Court ruled that IEEPA does not authorize the President to impose tariffs, striking down the Liberation Day and fentanyl tariffs. Over $175 billion in refunds may be at stake — here's what importers need to know and do right now.