Panel 3: Usual Suspects Advocates Panel

(This brief reflects our own synthesis of high-level themes from the session. No speaker was quoted or identified, and no confidential details are included.)

1. Tariff landscape
   • Rapid-fire announcements—often posted late Fridays—are now routine; treat volatility as permanent.
   • Upcoming actions are expected to target specific sectors (autos, aerospace, tech) rather than impose blanket rate hikes.
   • Court challenges to existing 301/232 duties are moving slowly; refunds, if any, are unlikely before 2026.
2. Operational pressure points
   • Origin tracing now extends to raw-material level (steel/aluminum melt, critical minerals, labor practices).
   • Surety-bond requirements and freight rates continue to climb; 90-day credit terms are tightening.
   • Public warehouses and FTZs are nearing capacity following pre-July forward stocking—secure space early.
3. Policy signals to monitor
   • Multiple proposals—executive and legislative—could narrow or repeal the current de minimis small-package exemption.
   • New national-security import probes remain possible; comment windows are expected to be short.
   • Hill staff anticipate revisiting tariff-setting authority after the July 9 policy milestone; real-world cost stories carry weight.
4. Near-term action checklist (next 60 days)
   • Map input origin to tier-one suppliers; update due-diligence questionnaires.
   • Stress-test landed-cost models at +10 % duty for top SKUs.
   • Review bond levels and duty-payment terms with brokers and sureties.
   • Reserve warehouse/FTZ slots for Q3–Q4 intake.
   • Prepare one-page executive briefs so leadership can react quickly to late-week tariff news.