In the latest episode of “Talking Trade,” Michael Best Strategies Partner Sarah Helton offers an update on the latest tariff developments.
Helton, the practice group chair for government and trade for the advisory firm, said the recent 90-day reprieve from more substantial tariffs on most countries is giving businesses some wiggle room to adjust supply chains and other factors.
“What a sigh of relief for a lot of companies that are impacted in a negative way by these tariffs,” she said.
Helton noted the Trump administration has signaled that negotiations are advancing with other countries, adding foreign leaders are coming to the table as a result of the current U.S. trade approach.
The conversation also touches on the “all out trade war” between China and the United States, as Helton notes retaliatory moves show that China isn’t backing down.
“With all of this ramping up, and the retaliatory tariffs on our side ramped up further, you’re looking at the overall landscape and by our calculations, depending on what you add in it … you’re facing a near 170% in retaliatory tariffs,” she said. “That is incredibly impactful.”
Still, she said observers are “starting to see some language” from U.S. officials about wanting to make a deal with China.
“Understanding what does that mean for China to come to the table, what does that mean for the U.S. to come to the table,” she said. “From my perspective, I do think that you’re going to start to see that at some point. The timeline of it is unclear right now.”
Talking Trade is hosted by E.M Wasylik Associates Managing Director Ken Wasylik and M.E. Dey & Co. President and Managing Director Sandi Siegel.
