On-Demand Webinar: “Navigating Tariffs Together”

Learn how C2FO customers manage tariff-related uncertainty with more innovative sourcing, transparent pricing, and flexible cash flow strategies.

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As tariff policy shifts rapidly in 2025, businesses face heightened pressure to stay agile, transparent and financially prepared. In C2FO’s recent webinar, “Navigating Tariffs Together,” four business leaders from different sectors discuss managing these changes and their strategies to remain competitive. With over 200 C2FO customers and peers who registered, the event provided timely, candid insights into one of the most pressing challenges in global commerce today.

A shifting landscape requires new thinking

While tariffs are not new, the current environment is unique in its volatility and complexity. As Ragui Selwanes, C2FO’s head of product, technology and US operations, noted in his opening remarks, the challenge is less about the added costs and more about the unpredictability. Policy changes happen quickly, often with little advance notice, leaving businesses unsure how to price, procure and plan.

This unpredictability is particularly challenging for companies with long-term contracts and fixed pricing models. Tariffs are affecting not just imports from China but also materials sourced from North American partners like Canada and Mexico. According to Don Schneidman, CFO of Winholt Equipment Group, even US-based manufacturing is increasingly impacted.

Transparency and education are now strategic tools

Many companies are responding to this uncertainty with greater transparency and a more consultative role with their customers. Winholt Equipment Group delayed making immediate price changes to avoid customer fatigue — but once it was clear tariffs were here to stay, the team acted decisively.

The company provided detailed justifications for price adjustments, including item-level Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) codes and landed cost breakdowns. Aryeh Melaris of Arlee Home Fashions noted that this approach also includes educating procurement teams that may not be fully versed in tariff rules. Helping buyers understand these complexities has become essential to building trust.

Rethinking supply chains and buying timelines

Many companies are choosing to pause and reassess before making new sourcing arrangements. Arlee Home Fashions, for example, halted Chinese imports and began exploring domestic and nearshore options. Surprisingly, some of these proved cost-competitive after considering total landed costs.

Danny Wein of Wein’s Bakery shared that his company is scouting alternative packaging suppliers while also building contingency plans to respond quickly to further disruption. These strategies mirror the adaptive planning mindset developed during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Shipping delays and product launch suspensions are now common as buyers also pull back. With large retailers deferring orders and freezing budgets, many suppliers are adopting a wait-and-see approach to avoid overextending.

Solving the working capital puzzle

Perhaps the most pressing challenge is managing cash flow. Tariff costs often must be paid upfront, while customer payments may take 60 to 90+ days to arrive. That mismatch is putting significant pressure on liquidity.

Jennifer Moore, CEO of The Moore Group, spoke about staying disciplined and responsive. When one client froze its budget, her team offered a cost-based solution to maintain the relationship. She also emphasized the importance of closely tracking receivables and leveraging early pay options.

Wein noted that Early Pay has helped Wein’s Bakery maintain steady access to ingredients even as vendor terms tightened. Across the board, flexible financing is essential to bridging the gap.

Turning challenges into strategic advantages

Some companies have chosen to absorb tariffs as a strategy to build customer loyalty — an approach that some suppliers are mirroring in hopes of gaining share.

Moore has differentiated her consulting firm by offering a cost-effective alternative to larger providers, a timely pitch as clients reevaluate budgets. Other suppliers are negotiating cost-sharing arrangements with buyers and overseas vendors, choosing collaboration over confrontation.

As Schneidman pointed out, tariffs may soon become a normalized cost of doing business. Companies that plan, build resilience and maintain transparency will be better positioned to compete on fundamentals like quality and service.

How to stay informed

To stay ahead of tariff-related changes, panelists recommend the following resources:

• White House website — for official announcements and changes
• Freight forwarders and customs brokers — for real-time insight at the port level
• Trade legal advisors — for classification strategy and duty drawback guidance
• US Department of Commerce — for trade data and economic policy trends

These sources offer a clearer picture than headlines or social media, and they help businesses respond with precision.

You can also read other recent C2FO articles on the topic: 

• How a Customs Broker Can Provide Value in an Evolving Global Trade Landscape
• How to Protect Your Company from Changing Currency Values
• What You Can Do When Tariffs Disrupt Margins

Adapting with confidence

The C2FO webinar made one thing clear: volatility may persist, but businesses can still move forward with confidence. By rethinking sourcing, improving communication and unlocking trapped cash, companies can build the agility they need to succeed, whatever the next change may be.

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