February 17, 2025
By Roth Soy
NEW YORK — Troutman Pepper Locke and Troutman Strategies have announced the formation of a Tariff Task Force, recognizing the need to provide comprehensive legal guidance and support to clients following the Trump administration’s announcement regarding tariffs on China, Mexico, Canada, and potentially the European Union.
The firm’s Tariff Task Force brings together a multidisciplinary group of professionals uniquely positioned to assist global and multinational companies in industries heavily impacted by tariffs, including energy, manufacturers, pharmaceuticals, and automotive. The team is focused on developing strategies that minimize disruptions, optimize supply chains, identify potential cost-saving opportunities, and support advocacy. By staying ahead of key developments, the Tariff Task Force will provide clients with timely insights to help clients understand, adapt, and respond effectively.
“With Executive Orders and notices from the White House potentially imposing sweeping tariffs on goods imported from Mexico, Canada, and China, original equipment manufacturers and lower tier suppliers are rapidly implementing their contingency plans to re-engineer a delicate global supply chain,” said Sean McNally, co-leader of Troutman Pepper Locke’s Tariff Task Force. “While the tariffs for Mexico and Canada have been paused for 30 days, immediate legal challenges to the Trump administration’s unprecedented use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act are inevitable. Beyond this, lobbying efforts seeking exemptions from the Executive Orders for vehicles and parts that comply with the domestic and regional content rules of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement will certainly accelerate.”
“As this dynamic situation unfolds, we must support our clients through this period of uncertainty, helping them navigate the complexities and rapidly changing global trade landscape associated with potential new tariffs,” McNally added.
Dan Anziska, co-leader of Troutman Pepper Locke’s Tariff Task Force and a regulatory and supply chain partner focused on the convergence of trade policy, competition, and national security, notes that the scale and swiftness of these tariffs differ from the national security tariffs aimed at China during the first Trump administration: “We are laser-focused on helping our clients, including in energy, both renewables and traditional, automotive, industrials, consumer goods, and health sciences, navigate this issue by implementing re-shoring initiatives and contractual and policy protections.”
Anziska further explained that “due to our broad mix of clients throughout the U.S. economy, we have excellent visibility into the magnitude of issues that companies face, whether they are manufacturers relying on raw materials or inputs or companies relying on a contract manufacturing platform.”
Lindsay Austin, co-leader of Troutman Pepper Locke’s Tariff Task Force who leads the federal affairs practice for Troutman Strategies, noted that the firm is already fielding numerous questions, highlighting a lot of uncertainty and confusion for industries that have complex and even simple supply chains to manage. “We are well positioned to shepherd clients through the most intricate matters related to the international trade landscape. As we learned when tariffs first came into focus in 2017, businesses need to not only understand what these government actions mean but also how to respond to them strategically.”
Daniel Gorman, co-leader of Troutman Pepper Locke’s Tariff Task Force and a commercial litigator and international trade partner who assists clients across industries on import, duties, sanctions, and tariff-related issues, notes that although the 2018 tariffs were met with some negotiations and exemptions, the current version of the 2025 tariffs is focused on more rigorous penalties for violations beyond financial ramifications, including potential trade restrictions and sanctions. Although the tariffs aim to protect U.S. industries, with the broader reach of the 2025 tariffs, Gorman explained that “the possibility of more aggressive enforcement compared to the 2018 tariffs may be inevitable — and the Troutman Pepper Locke team remains hyper-focused on tracking and analyzing the changing geopolitical landscape to work with our clients to ensure they are best situated to address what is lurking ahead to avoid disputes and pitfalls.”
For more information on the Tariff Task Force and for the latest information surrounding legal and policy updates, visit troutman.com/tariff-and-trade-task-force.
Troutman Pepper Locke
Troutman Pepper Locke helps clients solve complex legal challenges and achieve their business goals in an ever-changing global economy. With more than 1,600 attorneys in 30+ offices, the firm serves clients in all major industry sectors, with particular depth in energy, financial services, health care and life sciences, insurance and reinsurance, private equity, and real estate. Learn more at troutman.com.
About Troutman Strategies
Troutman Strategies is a professional government affairs firm committed to providing solutions for business and government. Troutman Strategies is a subsidiary of Troutman Pepper Locke, a law firm with more than 1,600 attorneys in 30+ offices in the U.S. and UK, including the 10 largest U.S. legal markets. Learn more at troutmanstrategies.com.
