How Contracts Can Help Firms Navigate the Uncertainty of Global Tariffs

Last week, President Trump signed an executive order imposing a sudden minimum 10% tariff on nearly all U.S. imports. The sweeping measures, which average 29% across all affected nations, were followed by a targeted 125% tariff on Chinese imports—wiped out trillions in global equity value within 48 hours. Then, just as abruptly, the Trump administration announced a 90-day pause for all but China, triggering a 9.5% rebound in the S&P 500. This isn’t just volatility; it’s a stress test. Firms still relying on static sourcing models and boilerplate contracts are gambling with their margins. In a world where trade policy can flip overnight, strategic contract management isn’t a back-office task: it’s frontline anticipatory thinking and action.