We’re excited to share that Sarah Massie, President of S Massie Consulting, was recently quoted in the April 9th New York Times article, “In a Storm of Tariffs, Many Companies See China as the Safest Harbor“, by Daisuke Wakabayashi. This timely piece highlights a surprising outcome of the current U.S. tariff strategy – one with serious implications for small and mid-sized American exporters: many U.S. companies are choosing to double down on their Chinese supply chains.
Why? Because amid the noise and unpredictability of global trade policy, familiarity and stability – even costly stability – can feel like a safer bet than starting over elsewhere.
“If everybody is getting hit, then that’s definitely stopping some of the looking. At least we already know what this supplier gives us… But whether they can continue at that cost is a whole different story.”
— Sarah Massie, quoted in The New York Times
The New York Times reached out to Sarah for her perspective as an export compliance expert and advisor to U.S. companies navigating international trade risks. The conversation was sparked by her February article, which resonated with many clients and industry peers experiencing real consequences from these policy changes.
A Shift in Strategy: From Diversification to Defensive Familiarity
This insight echoes what we’ve been hearing from clients: today’s volatile tariff landscape has left many small and medium-sized exporters unsure how to act. With tariffs being levied across dozens of countries and seemingly shifting by the day, businesses are opting to maintain existing supplier relationships. Even if that means potentially higher costs, the risk and complexity of shifting supply chains is simply too great right now.
The result? Small businesses are stuck making high-stakes decisions with limited resources and little room for error.
That’s why S Massie Consulting exists: to give small and growing exporters the tools, guidance, and confidence they need to compete globally, even when the rules keep changing.
Your Trusted Partner in a Foggy Trade Landscape
At S Massie Consulting, we know that compliance is more than a checkbox. It is your competitive advantage. We work closely with small and mid-sized exporters to give them the clarity and confidence they need to say “yes” to international opportunities.
Here’s how we support our clients in this turbulent environment:
- Export Compliance Programs (ECPs): We build smart, efficient programs that protect your business from costly mistakes and keep shipments moving, even as regulations shift.
- Empowering Sales Teams: We help your salesforce understand where and how they can sell globally, so they can close more deals while staying compliant.
- Export Compliance Training: We provide tailored training for your team, from entry-level staff to executive leadership, so everyone understands the rules and can navigate them with confidence.
- Domestic Supply Chain Verification for ITAR Compliance: For defense-related companies, sourcing from approved domestic suppliers is non-negotiable. We train your team and equip them with the tools needed to confidently conduct supply chain due diligence in-house.
Making Compliance Achievable for Small Businesses
We understand that for small businesses, budget constraints can delay or derail even the most critical projects. That’s why we offer in-house financing options to make export compliance and supply chain strategy upgrades more accessible and affordable. We believe strongly that small and growing businesses deserve a seat at the international table, and we’re committed to helping them get there.
At S Massie Consulting, we’re more than advisors – we’re advocates for our clients. We want to see American small businesses flourish, even in this unpredictable global environment. With the right knowledge, support, and strategy, they can not only weather the storm, but grow through it.
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About S Massie Consulting LLC:
S Massie Consulting specializes in U.S. export compliance, helping businesses mitigate risks and expand globally. We empower you with the knowledge, skills, and strategies necessary to jumpstart your export compliance program so your company can thrive in the global marketplace. We provide expert guidance and peace of mind through accurate export classification, customized EAR/ITAR compliance programs, and employee compliance training to simplify regulations and protect companies from costly fines, penalties, or even jail time. To learn more about how we can help you navigate complicated laws and regulations for U.S. exports or ITAR manufacturing compliance, visit www.smassie.com or call 844-321-INTL (4685).
Contact Sarah Massie
President, S Massie Consulting LLC
+1-844-321-4685
Sarah@SMassie.com
