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Dear IMA Members,
In the wake of the pandemic, we all became familiar with the phrase “Zoom fatigue.” Now, several years later, I’m hearing a new kind of weariness: "Tariff fatigue".
For many manufacturers, the constant policy changes, geopolitical tensions, and economic uncertainty surrounding tariffs are taking a serious toll on operations, planning, and morale.
This roller coaster of unpredictability isn’t just frustrating—it’s dangerous. We’ve seen manufacturers pre-emptively shut down operations simply because they couldn’t continue to navigate the unknowns. Others are quietly considering the same path.
The truth is, we’re all in this waiting game together. Waiting. Wondering. Hoping for a favorable outcome. Preparing for the worst.
But my questions to you are: How are you preparing? Are you truly prepared?
Even if your company doesn’t directly import goods, your vulnerability may still be high. Consider your supply chain:
- Do your clients import components?
- Do your suppliers rely on overseas materials?
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Do your distributors face international tariffs?
Their instability could become your disruption.
We all remember the chaos of pandemic-era supply chain stagnation—some of us lived it painfully firsthand. That experience should have been a wake-up call. Now, with the global trade environment becoming increasingly volatile again, it’s time to assess your business’s resiliency.
- What steps are you taking to buffer your business from external shocks?
- Do you have a strategy to adapt to shifting costs or sourcing limitations?
- Have you mapped your supply chain dependencies?
At the Idaho Manufacturing Alliance, we are actively monitoring policy developments and trade news to keep our members informed. We're also working to connect manufacturers with the resources, partners, and experts they need to weather storms like this.
In the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing tools to help you assess your tariff exposure, case studies from local manufacturers who’ve adapted successfully, and advocacy updates as we engage with state and national partners.
We’re here to support you, but preparedness starts with awareness.
Stay resilient, stay connected, and let’s navigate this together.
Gina Robison
Executive Director
Idaho Manufacturing Alliance
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