# Bonus: Tariffs 101 with Aaron Alpeter

- Show: [The Startup CPG Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast)
- Published: 2025-02-06
- Length: 23m
- Episode: 119
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2025-02-06-bonus-tariffs-101-with-aaron-alpeter
- Listen: https://share.transistor.fm/s/4bc9df3a

## Summary

Aaron Alpeter, founder of supply chain consultancy Izba, explains the mechanics and strategic objectives of recent US tariffs on goods from Mexico, Canada, and China. He details how these tariffs, justified by national emergency clauses in the USMCA, impose a 25% duty on products from Mexico and Canada and 10% from China, impacting everything from raw ingredients to co-manufacturing costs. Alpeter advises brands to engage in tariff engineering, cost sensitivity analysis, and alternative sourcing to mitigate the financial shock of these rapidly evolving trade policies.

## Outline

1. Introduction: Aaron Alpeter and the Tariff Landscape
2. The Political Objectives Behind the Tariffs
3. Immediate Cost Impacts on Ingredients and Packaging
4. The Co-Manufacturing Trap and Price Escalation
5. Strategies for US Brands: Tariff Engineering and Cost Analysis
6. Impact on Foreign Brands and Retaliatory Measures

## Topics

- [Policy, trade & tariffs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/policy-trade-and-tariffs)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Izba (company)
- USMCA (other)
- HTS code (other)
- Midday Squares (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [EMS & The Economist - Tariffs Special - April 13th, 2025](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2025-04-14-ems-the-economist-tariffs-special-april-13th-2025) (EMS@C-LEVEL)
- [S3 E2: Export, Import, Tariffs, and Trade Compliance for Hardware Startups with Gabrielle Griffith](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-builder-circle/2025-10-14-s3-e2-export-import-tariffs-and-trade-compliance-for-hardware-startups-with-gabr) (The Builder Circle)
- [EMS & The Economist: Liberation Day Shockwaves, Tariffs and Global Trade Disruptions](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2025-04-04-ems-the-economist-liberation-day-shockwaves-tariffs-and-global-trade-disruptions) (EMS@C-LEVEL)
- [Down at the Doctor's with Dr. Bill Cardoso and Dr. Eric Miscoll: AI Curiosity, Tariff Turmoil, Economic Uncertainty, and Much More](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2025-03-25-down-at-the-doctors-with-dr-bill-cardoso-and-dr-eric-miscoll-ai-curiosity-tariff) (EMS@C-LEVEL)
- [Tariffs and Trade: EMS & The Economist on Global Manufacturing's Future Amid Political Shifts](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2025-02-05-tariffs-and-trade-ems-the-economist-on-global-manufacturings-future-amid-politic) (EMS@C-LEVEL)

## Citing this page

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