Friday’s tariff declaration by President Trump has jolted the business community into a state of strategic emergency. The 50% duty on EU imports, combined with threats of smartphone tariffs, could radically reshape how U.S. firms source, manufacture, and sell their products.
Executives now face a ticking clock as the June 1 implementation date looms. From auto parts to tech gadgets, industries that have depended on global integration must decide whether to move operations stateside or face steep import costs. Apple’s confrontation with the White House over its production strategy reflects the personal and unpredictable nature of these changes.
With Trump stating that deals are off the table, companies can no longer rely on negotiations or lobbying to carve out exceptions. The pressure is now on to pivot fast—or pay the price in both competitiveness and consumer cost.