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While sweeping new tariffs were set to take effect as of midnight April 9, 2025, President Trump has announced a 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs for most countries to allow room for diplomatic negotiation. However, the baseline 10% tariff on all imported goods remains in effect, continuing to disrupt trade policy and introduce new waves of uncertainty for businesses. 

For retailers, these tariffs could mean major shifts in sourcing strategies, rising operational costs, and tighter profit margins. But what’s not making headlines is just as critical: these changes also increase cybersecurity risks, especially as businesses scramble to reconfigure supply chains, adopt new vendors, and digitize operations.

At RB Advisory, we believe now is the time for decisive, proactive action to strengthen cybersecurity postures and build resilience for what lies ahead.

Economic Uncertainty = Cyber Risk Amplified

The coming months will likely bring sudden changes in sourcing decisions, vendor relationships, and inventory strategies. These rapid shifts, made under pressure, introduce a higher risk of:

• Third-party vulnerabilities due to unfamiliar or unvetted suppliers
• Breakdowns in compliance with data privacy regulations across regions
• Increased phishing and ransomware attacks, as threat actors exploit the chaos

We’ve seen it before: during periods of global disruption, cybercriminals strike when defenses are down and attention is elsewhere.

“Economic uncertainty can cloud judgment, but cybersecurity must remain a priority. Right now, retailers need clarity, not just around supply chains, but around the integrity of their systems, data, and vendor networks,” says Regine Bonneau, Founder and CEO of RB Advisory, also known as the Cyber Queen™.

Implications for Retail & Cybersecurity:

• Retailers will face cost increases for nearly all imported goods, which may lead to rushed changes in suppliers—raising third-party cybersecurity risks.
• Cyber criminals may exploit confusion and reorganization during this transition, targeting retail businesses through vendor phishing, compromised platforms, or fraud schemes.
• Businesses may turn to new international suppliers in non-traditional regions, potentially introducing less mature cybersecurity infrastructures into their ecosystem.
• The administration is framing these tariffs as national security measures, meaning compliance with federal cybersecurity standards (like CMMC or NIST) could increasingly be expected of U.S. businesses working within impacted industries or with federal touchpoints.

A Temporary Pause—But Not a Permanent Relief

Although the reciprocal tariffs have been temporarily paused for 90 days, the baseline 10% tariff still applies, and this pause could be lifted at any time. The fluidity of the situation means retailers cannot afford to be complacent. Temporary relief does not eliminate the cybersecurity risks tied to vendor turnover, supply chain realignment, and digital infrastructure adaptation.

How Retailers Can Navigate What’s Next

Even with so many unknowns, retailers can take meaningful steps now to protect their operations and brand reputation:

• Reassess Your Supply Chain’s Cyber Health – Before switching vendors or logistics providers, conduct third-party cyber risk assessments. Who has access to your data? How do they store and protect it? A weak link in your chain could cost more than the tariffs themselves.

1. Secure the “Quick Fixes” – Rapid deployments of new tech solutions or systems, especially to track tariffs, adjust pricing, or manage logistics, must be secured. Use zero trust principles and multi-factor authentication to protect your network.
2. Update Your Incident Response Plan – If you haven’t reviewed your incident response and recovery protocols in the last 6 months, now’s the time. Your business continuity depends on more than product availability, it depends on uptime, secure data, and quick reaction.
3. Train Your Team – Your frontline employees are your first line of defense. Arm them with awareness of phishing, social engineering, and common retail scams. Empower them to speak up about unusual activity.
4. Lean on Experts – You don’t have to navigate this alone. RB Advisory provides tailored support to help you manage cyber risks in dynamic environments, whether that means reassessing compliance, supporting audits, or building an agile security framework.

A Partner for Uncertain Times

This is a critical moment for retail. Whether you’re a small e-commerce brand or a national chain, the intersection of trade policy and cybersecurity is no longer a hypothetical—it’s your new reality.

At RB Advisory, we help retailers:

• Conduct compliance audits across international markets
• Implement risk-based cybersecurity programs
• Monitor third-party vendors and supply chain exposure
• Build resilience in the face of evolving threats

“The pause gives retailers breathing room—but it doesn’t eliminate the cyber threats that come with trade instability. Now is the time to double down on digital resilience,” says Regine Bonneau, Founder and CEO of RB Advisory.

Let’s Secure Your Future—Together

As the global trade landscape continues to shift dramatically, there are signs of rapid movement and diplomacy. More than 70 nations have already contacted the White House to begin negotiations on tariff adjustments, and in a significant reversal, the European Union has agreed to a zero-for-zero tariff position, removing potential barriers to transatlantic commerce. 

While the situation remains fluid, these developments underscore the importance of being proactive rather than reactive. For retailers, this means not only preparing for economic volatility, but ensuring their cybersecurity frameworks are strong enough to support fast-moving supply chain changes, international expansion, and increased digital risk exposure. At RB Advisory, we help businesses build that resilience, because in a world of shifting tariffs and rising threats, cybersecurity is no longer optional. It’s your foundation for growth.

Don’t let trade policy changes catch your business off guard. Now is the time to build strength, not scramble. RB Advisory is here to help you navigate the uncertainty and fortify your operations for whatever lies ahead.

📞 Contact us to schedule a consultation
📧 info@rbadvisoryllc.com

Information on the tariffs:

• As of April 5, 2025 at 12:01 a.m. EDT, a 10% baseline tariff remains in effect on all imported goods from all countries. However, President Trump has paused the implementation of the higher reciprocal tariffs for 90 days, as announced April 9, 2025. This decision allows time for ongoing negotiations with key trade partners.

• Beginning April 9, 2025, higher reciprocal tariffs will go into effect specifically targeting countries with which the U.S. has the largest trade deficits.

• Some goods are exempt from these tariffs, including:

• Steel/aluminum and autos/auto parts already subject to Section 232 tariffs

• Copper, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, lumber

• Energy and certain critical minerals

• Goods that may be subject to future Section 232 tariffs

• Bullion

• Canada and Mexico remain under existing fentanyl/migration IEEPA orders:

• USMCA-compliant goods = 0% tariff

• Non-compliant goods = 25% tariff

• Non-compliant energy/potash = 10% tariff

• The administration retains modification authority, meaning tariffs may increase if trading partners retaliate or decrease if they cooperate with U.S. trade terms.

Businesses should monitor these developments closely. If negotiations fail, reciprocal tariffs could be reinstated or even increased with minimal notice.

Sources:
White House Fact Sheet – https://bit.ly/426kYDQ
CBS News – https://bit.ly/43FkSUN
Associated Press – https://bit.ly/4joBm8m
Fox Business – https://bit.ly/3EfpNBo
USA Today – https://bit.ly/4i9q8DQ