10 CEO Questions to Strengthen Tariff Negotiation Strategy

1. What data and analysis tools did we use to evaluate supplier tariff-related price increases — and how can we expand or improve those methods moving forward? 

Did we use HTS classifications, landed cost models, or historical quote comparisons to guide our response strategy? 

2. Where we were the importer of record and paid the tariff directly, did we align with suppliers to adjust base pricing in a way that protected our market competitiveness? 

3. To what extent did we engage suppliers in discussions about sharing the tariff burden, and how can we build that expectation into future negotiations? 

4. What sourcing alternatives — such as reshoring, regional shifts, or new suppliers — were explored during tariff-driven negotiations, and what opportunities remain to revisit or expand those efforts? 

5. Have we built a process to continually identify and quote new suppliers that may be better positioned to avoid tariff exposure or offer more competitive pricing? 

6. Were our most complex or high-impact negotiations elevated to supplier executives when appropriate, and how can we ensure timely escalation in future scenarios? 

7. Did we receive the cross-functional support needed from engineering, sales, and operations to unlock all potential cost savings — and are there initiatives we should revisit with the right support in place? 

8. How well are we capturing internal lessons learned from past negotiations to improve preparation and supplier engagement in the next round of tariff or trade shifts? 

9. Would additional resources — such as improved analytics, negotiation bandwidth, or team support — position us to deliver better outcomes in future tariff situations? 

10. What safeguards have we put in place to ensure we receive price relief when tariffs are reduced, removed, or expire — and are those mechanisms actively monitored?