Joe & Bella, alongside US importers, Braces for Tariff Uncertainty Amid Trump’s Proposed Trade Policies
Joe & Bella offers stylish adaptive apparel designed to simplify the dressing process for older adults experiencing physical or cognitive changes.
With former President Donald Trump re-emerging in U.S. politics and vowing substantial tariffs on Chinese imports, many U.S. businesses, including Chicago-based adaptive apparel company Joe & Bella, are scrambling to shield themselves from potential cost increases and supply chain disruptions.
Trump’s proposed tariffs include a 10% tax on all U.S. imports, a 60% duty on goods from China, and a 25% levy on imports from Mexico. Experts warn that these tariffs could elevate consumer prices, heighten inflation, and lead to retaliatory measures from trading partners like China. Economists noted that if implemented, these tariffs will affect the entire economy with consequences for both businesses and consumers.
Joe & Bella, an e-commerce retailer that specializes in clothing designed for adults with specific needs—such as arthritis or limited mobility—has already taken proactive steps. Co-founder Jimmy Zollo explained that his company has quadrupled its order volume for best-selling shirts and doubled its stock of popular pants, both produced in China. “Given the uncertainty around tariffs, we wanted it delivered before Chinese New Year,” Zollo stated, referring to the January 29 celebration.
The timing of these orders is critical, as Chinese factories often close for up to four weeks for the holiday, allowing workers to spend time with family. After the holiday, smaller businesses like Joe & Bella can find themselves at a disadvantage, with their orders pushed back in favor of larger clients. “We can’t afford delays, especially with the threat of new tariffs,” Zollo added.
The potential for Trump’s new tariffs has already begun reshaping how companies strategize their supply chains. During his first term, Trump’s trade policies led to rounds of tariffs on items like steel, solar panels, and other consumer goods from China, prompting businesses to “front-load” their inventory—a strategy of importing goods early to avoid tariff hikes. Joe & Bella, like many businesses, is concerned about storage costs and the capital required to bring in additional inventory in anticipation of tariff changes.
While some companies, like New York-based Periodally, have opted against ordering goods early due to storage and shipping expenses, Joe & Bella’s decision to front-load inventory illustrates the pressure small businesses face amid volatile trade policies. For Zollo, the stakes are high, as his company serves a specialized market that can’t afford disruptions or sudden price hikes.
Trump’s win, should his promises hold, may mean that logistics companies will have “less stuff to move and need fewer people,” according to OL USA’s Alan Baer, highlighting how the tariffs could ripple across sectors beyond retail.
In the meantime, Joe & Bella is preparing as best they can, keeping a close eye on developments and hoping for stability. As Zollo remarked, “We need certainty to operate smoothly—otherwise, we’re at the mercy of policy changes that can upend our business overnight.”
Read more in Reuters
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