Businesses Aren’t Waiting for Trade Policy to Catch Up

As the dust settles around the latest tariff developments, one thing is clear: U.S. businesses aren’t waiting. Whether it’s suppliers, retailers, distributors, or manufacturers—most are pushing forward with plans to exit China, even while new trade frameworks remain half-formed.

Vietnam’s Deal Offers Partial Clarity, but Not Enough

The recent Vietnam deal with the U.S. offered some clarity—a 20% base rate instead of the threatened 46%—but left many in the dark about transshipment rules and enforcement. Still, that hasn’t stopped American companies from acting. The global supply chain doesn’t pause, and waiting for Washington or Hanoi to issue definitions isn’t a viable strategy for most.

Companies Are Moving—Even Without All the Answers

At TSS, we’re seeing the same pattern again and again: U.S. businesses are moving forward, assuming they’ll face tariffs somewhere in the 10–30% range depending on the path. But what’s most notable is this: they’re moving forward anyway.

Reshoring to the U.S. Remains Unrealistic for Most

There’s very little serious discussion around reshoring production to the U.S.—I’m sure it’s happening in certain specialized or strategic industries, but for standard retail categories and general merchandise, the economics and infrastructure just aren’t there.

Thailand Is Gaining Momentum Regardless of Tariff Outcomes

It appears, for now, that Thailand and the U.S. will also reach some kind of trade agreement. What rate that will settle at remains unclear, but Thailand is not sitting still. Factories are busy, interest is high, and U.S. companies are eager to secure reliable, non-China sources—regardless of what final tariff number lands.

The Real Risk: Doing Nothing

The takeaway is simple: the real risk for U.S. businesses isn’t what the tariff rate ends up being—it's standing still and doing nothing while everyone else adjusts. At TSS, we’re helping companies navigate this moment, get on the ground in Thailand, and move forward with confidence.