Sweeping new tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump are shaking the foundation of B2B ecommerce and manufacturing distribution in the U.S., forcing companies to reevaluate sourcing strategies, pricing models, and inventory planning in real time.
The administration’s policy introduces a blanket 10% tariff on all imports, with significantly higher rates targeting key Asian trade partners — 34% on Chinese goods, 32% on Taiwanese imports (excluding semiconductors), 46% on Vietnamese products, and 26% on goods from India.
The impact was swift. Shares of major U.S. tech companies tumbled — Apple dropped 7%, Amazon 6%, and Nvidia over 5% — as markets digested the increased cost pressures and potential delays. Automakers, including Tesla, are also on edge, facing new 25% tariffs on foreign-made parts and vehicles.
“This isn’t just a tax on imports — it’s a total reconfiguration of our cost structure,” said Chris Petrini, chief supply chain officer at Midwest Supply Co., an Ohio-based industrial distributor. “We’re rewriting the supply chain in real time.”
Impact of tariffs on B2B ecommerce and manufacturing
In the B2B ecommerce sector, distribution companies like Grainger, Fastenal and MSC Industrial are actively reshaping operations to blunt the impact of tariffs.
Some manufacturers are exploring reshoring or nearshoring production. However, the shift is costly and complex.
“There’s a real desire to bring production closer to home,” said Lisa Torres, vice president of operations at PrecisionEdge Tools, a U.S.-based manufacturer. “But the infrastructure isn’t ready, and U.S. labor and materials costs are much higher.”
The fashion industry, heavily reliant on Asian suppliers, is particularly vulnerable.
“We’re facing 30% to 40% increases in landed costs,” said Maya Desai, director of global sourcing at SierraWear, a California-based apparel brand. “We’re looking at Bangladesh and Mexico now, but making that switch takes months — sometimes years.”
Shipping and logistics have also felt turbulence. Global shipping giant A.P. Moller-Maersk warned of delays and broader economic fallout.
“The uncertainty is making businesses hold back on customs clearance and inventory commitments,” says a spokesperson.
These disruptions are cascading through distribution networks. Beacon Roofing Supply, for example, has begun locking in long-term contracts with domestic manufacturers to hedge against import volatility. Meanwhile, Global Industrial is investing in advanced forecasting tools to manage sourcing unpredictability.
Despite the scramble, there’s widespread concern about the long-term implications.
“What businesses hate most is uncertainty,” says Ann Wilson, senior vice president of government affairs at the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA). “And these tariffs inject a massive dose of unpredictability into every supply chain decision.”
With trade policy still in flux, most businesses are in wait-and-adapt mode. “Right now, we’re doing a lot of scenario planning,” said Torres of PrecisionEdge Tools. “There’s no ‘one size fits all’ playbook for tariffs — but standing still isn’t an option.”
As B2B ecommerce platforms and manufacturers brace for sustained turbulence, many are pushing for clarity and a more measured approach to trade enforcement. Until then, survival depends on agility.
“Adapt or lose market share — that’s the choice we’re all facing,” said Petrini of Midwest Supply Co. “And we don’t have the luxury of time.”
Sources include Bloomberg, Associated Press, and Thomson Reuters.
Sign up
Sign up for a complimentary subscription to Digital Commerce 360 B2B News. It covers technology and business trends in the growing B2B ecommerce industry. Contact Mark Brohan, senior vice president of B2B and Market Research, at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @markbrohan. And follow us on LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and YouTube.
