Three ways companies are getting around tariffs

🎙️ The Speakers & Context

• The Format: Host discussion between two NPR Planet Money hosts, Adrian Ma and Paddy Hirsch.
• The Key Players:
  • Izzy Rosenzweig – CEO of Portless, a Toronto-based logistics company; provides on-the-ground expertise on how importers are navigating tariffs.
  • Lenny Feldman – Attorney at Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg and former senior attorney for U.S. Customs and Border Protection; offers legal and regulatory depth on tariff compliance.
• The Vibe: Informative, pragmatic, and slightly optimistic—the hosts treat a dry topic with energy and even find a "silver lining."

🎣 The Executive Hook

• The "One Big Idea": Under President Trump's tariff regime, companies are using three forms of "tariff engineering"—manipulating product composition, country of origin, and declared value—to legally slash their import tax bills. The strategic insight is that these tactics, while requiring upfront investment, can turn tariff disruption into a long-term supply chain advantage.
• Why It Matters: With baseline 10% tariffs and variable reciprocal rates (e.g., 50% from India, 50% from Brazil), the cost of importing is no longer predictable. Companies that master these engineering techniques can gain a structural cost edge over competitors, while those that don't risk margin erosion or legal penalties.