A new study by Creditsafe reveals how tariff uncertainty is pushing U.S. importers to delay shipments, pay suppliers late, and boost inventories, all while fears of a global recession mount. As trade tensions ripple through supply chains, businesses are recalibrating financial and supplier risk strategies to stay afloat.
Imports Frozen, Inventories Rising as Tariff Anxiety Spreads
Amid escalating tariff disputes, 72% of U.S. businesses say they’ve put imports on hold, according to Creditsafe’s Tariff Risks in the Supply Chain report. The trade chill isn’t limited to China, where 37% of companies plan to scale back imports, but extends to key partners like Mexico and Canada, both seeing planned cutbacks by 28% of surveyed firms. In Mexico, the downstream effects are already visible: steel export volumes reportedly halved in May 2025.
To buffer against volatility, nearly half of companies (48%) have ramped up inventory buys, with a third of those increasing stock by up to 25%. For some, that figure climbs as high as 50%, underscoring the urgency to mitigate future cost hikes or availability constraints. But stockpiling is only one part of the defensive playbook. Tariffs are also eroding cash flow discipline, with 51% of firms admitting to paying suppliers late, nearly half of them significantly so.
Financial Vigilance Tightens as Trade Fraud Risks Climb
The pressure is also reshaping financial and compliance behaviors. As costs climb and trade documentation grows more complex, 73% of businesses express concern about fraud risks, from forged certificates to duplicate payments. In response, nearly half (47%) are stepping up supplier vetting efforts to avoid disruptions from financially unstable or illegitimate trading partners.
Creditsafe COO Steve Carpenter notes that visibility into financial and supplier health is now mission-critical: “Robust data is the differentiator in volatile trade environments,” he said in an official statement. “It’s the foundation for ensuring suppliers can meet obligations fully and on time.” The study suggests that companies are beginning to operationalize this view. Supplier evaluation is shifting from a periodic exercise to a continuous risk-screening process, particularly in industries with tight margins and global sourcing dependencies.
Tactical Reactions May Distort Long-Term Supply Strategies
While tactical responses like inventory pre-buys and fraud checks provide short-term protection, they can entrench rigid supply models and obscure broader transformation goals. As recent trade data shows, companies that over-index on buffer stock or delay payments risk impairing agility, straining supplier trust, and diverting capital from strategic investments. Leaders may need to rethink whether today’s defensive actions are crowding out tomorrow’s flexibility.