As tariffs shift global trade flows, many companies are reevaluating sourcing strategies to offset rising costs. But this pivot can trigger a new set of challenges.
Suppliers may resort to cost-cutting measures that heighten ESG and regulatory risks in countries facing increased tariff pressure. The incentive to cut corners grows as profit margins shrink, which makes ongoing supplier due diligence more important than ever.
These risks aren’t limited to international suppliers. In the U.S., regulatory oversight is weakening due to staffing cuts across key agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Labor. As enforcement drops, even domestic sourcing can carry higher environmental and social risks than before.
Cutting costs without strengthening oversight opens the door to operational, legal, and reputational exposure. Reactive compliance is not enough. Companies must double down on due diligence, monitoring, and supplier engagement, regardless of where production is based.
Here’s how companies can turn due diligence into action in the face of rising tariff pressure.
Look Beyond Cost When Re-Sourcing Suppliers
Tariffs often lead companies to shift sourcing quickly, but choosing new suppliers based solely on cost savings can lead to greater ESG and regulatory risks, which can directly impact business continuity and resilience. Build ESG performance into your sourcing criteria from the start. This can mean requiring disclosures, sustainability certifications, or proven track records on labor and environmental standards alongside price and delivery terms.
Pierre-François Thaler
Elevate Supplier Visibility Before Risks Escalate
Know where your suppliers operate, and understand the country – and sector-specific risks that may impact them. Mapping ESG risk exposure across your supplier base can reveal vulnerabilities before they become costly disruptions.
Strengthen Real-Time Risk Monitoring Capabilities
Risks can emerge quickly, especially in politically or economically unstable regions. Companies can adopt tools and processes to monitor real-time ESG-related incidents, regulatory changes, and supplier performance. This enables faster intervention and limits exposure to reputational and operational harm.
Invest in Supplier Relationships That Enable Long-Term Resilience
Short-term savings often come at the expense of long-term stability. Companies that engage suppliers as partners in improving sustainability performance can build stronger, more resilient supply chains. Consider supporting suppliers’ sustainability performance through targeted training, shared improvement plans, and participation in industry-wide collaboration sustainability initiatives.
Prepare for Evolving Regulations with Better Data
Global regulations are expanding and tightening, and due diligence laws increasingly require data traceability. Build internal systems to collect, store, and verify ESG data from suppliers. This ensures your company can respond quickly and credibly to audits, enforcement actions, or disclosure requirements.
Plan for Geopolitical and Policy Shifts
Don’t wait for certainty. Create sourcing scenarios based on potential tariff changes, policy shifts, or regional instability. Test your supplier network against these possibilities to spot gaps, identify alternate sources, and plan proactively rather than reactively.
This is the moment to go beyond reactive cost-cutting and build supply chains that are lean, smart, transparent, and resilient. As tariffs reshape trade flows and regulatory risks rise, companies have a clear choice: scramble to adapt or lead with foresight. The organizations that invest in strategic supplier due diligence today will be positioned to weather uncertainty and emerge stronger on the other side.
Pierre-François Thaler is Co-Founder and Co-CEO of EcoVadis.
