Finance teams must stay alert to shifting trade policies, tariff uncertainties, and supply chain disruptions, as these changes can impact corporate debt strategy. A new administration often brings challenges and opportunities, such as rising costs, operational risks, and increased M&A activity. Treasurers and CFO’s need to stay ahead of the curve.
Finance teams must stay alert to shifting trade policies, tariff uncertainties, and supply chain disruptions, as these changes can impact corporate debt strategy. A new administration often brings challenges and opportunities, such as rising costs, operational risks, and increased M&A activity. Treasurers and CFO’s need to stay ahead of the curve.
Global trade dynamics are evolving quickly, with tariffs being considered for the U.S.’s top trading partners: Mexico, Canada, and China. This could significantly impact trade data and corporate strategies.

U.S. imports consistently outpace exports with key trading partners. Tariffs or border closures could reduce trade volumes, disrupt supply chains, and challenge corporate finance teams. Auto manufacturing and states like Texas are especially vulnerable to tariffs on Canada and Mexico. Despite a large trade deficit with the EU, there’s less talk about European tariffs.
What’s at Stake?
Everything from cash flow to your ability to fund growth initiatives is at stake. Waiting to act until the impact hits your business could limit your options, leaving you scrambling for solutions when time, flexibility and market conditions are no longer on your side. Instead, now is the time to take a proactive approach to financing.
Treasury teams that prepare now will be ready to manage rising costs, capitalize on growth opportunities, and build resilience against future disruptions.
Time to Reassess Your Financing Strategy?
Rather than waiting for disruptions to impact your business, corporate treasurers can take proactive steps to strengthen their financial position. While it’s impossible to predict every scenario, there are clear reasons why securing financing today can put your company in a stronger position tomorrow. Corporate treasurers should evaluate these four questions:
1. Are You Ready for Sudden Changes to Trade Costs?
If your company imports parts or exports finished goods, now is the time to review your trade exposures. Tariffs can quickly change the cost and availability of goods, particularly for businesses relying on imports from Mexico, Canada, or China. Financial results such as revenue levels, input pricing, and margins could be negatively or positively impacted, and should be modeled, as this could affect your credit standing with banks and institutional investors. Understanding your exposure will help you anticipate potential challenges and plan ahead.
2. Do You Have the Liquidity to Handle Disruption?
In times of market volatility, liquidity is essential. Disruptions—whether from tariffs, global events, or supply chain issues—can strain working capital and reduce free cash flow. Evaluate your cash reserves and explore financing options to ensure your company can maintain operations and seize opportunities when they arise. Ensure you have the right debt mix and the right lenders to navigate through storms and sunny weather.
3. Could Consolidation Impact Your Financial Structure?
A less restrictive regulatory environment may lead to increased mergers and acquisitions. If you’re exploring opportunities to expand, streamline, or consolidate, ensure your financing strategy supports those goals. Reexamining your capital structure while the US economy is strong, rather than during a downturn, can improve long-term stability and flexibility.
4. Is Your Company Ready for a Sale?
If selling your business is on the horizon, preparing your financials is critical to securing the best outcome. Focus on improving cash flow, optimizing operational efficiency, and addressing any weaknesses in your financial performance to make your company more attractive to potential buyers.
Next Steps to Take
A key challenge companies face in acting promptly is the lack of resources, time, data and expertise and competing other priorities.
We understand that and at Redbridge Debt & Treasury Advisory, we have the dedicated resources, market leading software, proprietary benchmarks and expertise to optimize your yield rates in a falling rate environment – as you focus on other priority areas.
What Treasurers Should Do Today
If the answer to these questions is unclear or your business relies on global trade, you should urgently gather senior financial leadership to identify key areas where changes policy or regulations could impact your operations. From there, focus on:
- Liquidity Planning: Assess your working capital needs and consider how disruptions could affect cash flow and increase the need for diversified financing sources across products and geographies.
- Strategic Growth: Revisit your M&A pipeline and ensure you have the funding to move forward with strategic deals.
- Operational Resilience: Look for opportunities to strengthen your supply chain and diversify operations to reduce reliance on single points of failure.
Don’t Wait for a Crisis to Act
The world isn’t going to get less complicated, and waiting for the dust to settle could leave your company vulnerable. By taking steps today to secure financing, you can protect your business against uncertainty and position it for growth.
If your treasury team is ready to evaluate financing options or needs expert guidance on navigating the current landscape and answering these critical questions, Redbridge is here to help. We can help you evaluate your current capital structure and potential opportunities and vulnerabilities. Visit our website to learn more about how we support corporate finance teams in building stronger, more resilient businesses.