By Vicky Sidler | Published 16 May 2025 at 12:00 GMT

Tariffs are the ankle weights of trade: once they’re strapped on, every imported box feels heavier and pricier. This week, those weights loosened. The United States and China trimmed duties from 145% to 30% for the next 90 days, and China cut most of its levies on US goods to 10%. The stock market danced, but the real celebration happens at your loading dock—because your next shipment could cost a whole lot less.

Tariffs 101—why a temporary cut is a big deal:

Think of a tariff as a surcharge added to incoming goods. Buy a $10 gadget overseas, add a 145% tariff, and that gadget lands at $24.50 before shipping. With the new 30% rate, the same gadget lands closer to $13. Multiply the difference by every unit in your next order, and the savings pile up fast.

Two ways to put the savings to work:

You really have two straightforward options:

1. Keep the extra margin. Bank the money and let it cushion surprise bills or slow months.

2. Share a slice with customers. Trim the price a bit—or add a small freebie—and let shoppers feel the win. Happy customers tend to come back and bring friends.

Pick the path that fits your cash‑flow mood, then move on.

How to use the 90‑day tariff truce—quick, repeatable steps:

I’m a StoryBrand Certified Guide and Duct Tape Marketing Strategic Consultant, and I combine these frameworks with Lean Marketing to build simple, strategic, and effective marketing systems that work while you sleep. If that sounds useful, here’s the quick version for the tariff truce:

1. Check your costs.
   Email your supplier: “What’s my new unit price now the tariffs are lower?” Even a few dollars saved per item stacks up fast.

2. Decide: keep or share.
   Keep the savings if cash is tight; share them if you want buzz. Either way, explain the tariff drop—transparency builds trust.

3. Spread the word.
   Post one clear line: “Tariffs dropped. Prices relaxed. Sale ends in 90 days.”

Do these three things and let the system cook while you focus on the rest of your business.

Grab my free 5‑Minute Marketing Action Sheet:

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Download my 5‑Minute Marketing Action Sheet and keep it by your desk. One page, instant clarity, zero fluff.

Small wins now, flexibility later:

If tariffs snap back in August, the ankle weights return—but you’ll have banked savings and goodwill. If the truce sticks, you’ve locked in cheaper stock and proven you can sprint when the weights come off. Either way, you’re ahead.