The Economic Development Board for Tacoma-Pierce County is actively supporting businesses navigating trade shifts. In collaboration with the World Trade Center Tacoma and the Port of Tacoma, the EDB is offering resources, insights, and connections to help local companies stay competitive.  Michael Fowler, Executive Director & Senior Trade Consultant at the World Trade Center Tacoma is at the heart of the local efforts being made.

“We’ve been preparing for tariffs since before the election as these policies were telegraphed by then candidate Donald Trump.  Through a lot of collaboration and cooperation, our organizations are helping local businesses capably maneuver during these challenging times,” said Fowler.

The biggest impact these organizations are seeing is through their educational efforts.  Examples include presentations to the Propeller Club and to the Center for Advanced Manufacturing of Puget Sound as well as multi-county webinars with EDB’s around the region.  Topics include getting the information out about what tariffs are, their history, what they are used for, and under what authority and under what conditions the Executive Branch has to impose them.

According to Fowler, “The landscaping is changing so quickly we’ve been updating constantly and in cooperation with EDB and the Chamber to get the information to our local businesses.”

The WTC Tacoma is assisting regional companies to navigate the impact of tariffs. While some believe there are limited options, one effective strategy is to collaborate with other Asian economies to diversify suppliers—specifically, by sourcing products from countries that face lower tariffs.

Fowler has also been counseling on the use of Foreign Trade Zone #86 in Tacoma, a designated area here in the US where imported products are secured in a way that complies with the government’s requirements.  No tariffs are imposed of products put in the zone until they are taken out.  Although according to a recent executive order, businesses will ultimately pay the tariff that was locked in when the goods entered the FTZ, payments can be held off until after receipt of payment or at least closer to the date the payment is received from the customer. Product can also be “kitted,” or combined with other product to potentially change its Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) code to one associated with a lower tariff. It can also be transformed altogether into a product with a preferable HTS code.

Fowler and others have found that some importers have been able to renegotiate purchase prices from their vendors or share the cost of unanticipated tariffs with customers. Others are shipping direct to newly developed international markets where tariffs are not as much of an issue.

All the cooperating organizations are directing members to advocates, including government representatives who can ensure the Administration understands exactly how these policies are impacting local businesses as well as to local Chambers of Commerce that ultimately communicate with the influential US Chamber in Washington D.C.

As we move deeper into 2025, the global trade environment will remain complex—but with the right partnerships and planning, Tacoma-Pierce County is well-positioned to weather the changes. Businesses are encouraged to reach out to the EDB, the World Trade Center Tacoma and their local Chamber of Commerce for guidance, and to participate in upcoming trade forums and strategy sessions throughout the summer.

Need help navigating trade policy or supplier diversification?  Look for more articles on tariffs, upcoming event listings and resources like our EDB Tariff Toolkit.