Everyone's asking if I'm relieved about tariffs dropping to 30%. (By everyone, I mean 3 journalists, 1 husband, and the imaginary studio audience that lives in my head) The answer is yes, but no. Yes, I'm relieved my business isn't facing a 145% tariff that would have crushed us. Cash is queen, and this gives us breathing room. But no, I'm not relieved from the uncertainty. This is a 90-day reprieve, not stability. When did we normalize the idea that business leaders should celebrate wildly fluctuating government policies? That we should be grateful when economic whiplash becomes slightly less violent? I don't need economic chaos as a "negotiation strategy." I need institutional leaders who understand that their job is to provide stability. Small businesses thrive on predictability. We can't stockpile inventory to hedge against the next policy swing. We can't pause product development for months while we wait to see which way the trade winds blow. Here is what Dame is doing: - Removing the trump tariff surcharge. - We will be going back to "normal" pricing. - We have gone from split shipping orders to bringing the whole order in. - Finding the balance between stability and agility. What I'm not doing: - Trying to time the market. The one thing I'm positive of is that chaos will continue. It is totally possible that in 90 days: a) Nothing happens (e.g., TikTok), b) Tariffs go up, or c) Tariffs go down, so no, I am not placing rush orders. I'm simply going back to normal, creating my own stability within my organization. So am I relieved? Sure. Like I'm relieved when someone stops stepping on my foot, while knowing they might start again in 90 days. What I want relief from is instability, and that is coming from a chaos lover. (My last post has an unusually low reach, so I'm reposting sans image to see what's up.) #tariffs #stability
It's wild how businesses are expected to celebrate “less chaos” like it’s a win. But predictability isn’t a privilege — it’s a basic necessity for growth. Alexandra Fine, just curious — how do you balance staying agile without feeling like you’re one policy change away from a crisis?
Great summary. Are you talking to anyone in Congress? Or working through trade associations or a chamber of commerce to voice your frustration (anger?)?
It's not 30% though, it's 30% plus the normal MFN rates by category. So it's at least 49.7%, but there are apparently a few other tariffs still in play, so it's closer to 80% right now. Someone please correct me I'd love to be wrong
I respect your transparency Alexandra Fine. I agree with you that the one thing the Trump administration is most predictable at is being unpredictable. A 90-day pause puts a bandaid on a broken bone.
Right now the way the it's written, the tariffs go to 34% in 90 days IF no other action is taken. Still can get refunds on the tariffs & other duties with drawbacks though if you also export goods from the US. Feel free to DM me if interested
“I need institutional leaders who understand that their job is to provide stability.” That is something all businesses need. Volatility and uncertainty only produce more volatility and uncertainty. The only thing this administration is good at is making money for themselves. In 90 days, we are certain to see an elite few makes gobs of money again (insider trading, much?!)
Co-founder at Ramblin' Brands
6moPlus it's still a 30% COGS increase from last year which I don't think any business owner, investor, or consumer should celebrate.