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In this episode, Corporate Tax Partner Vince Tropiano, Global Trade Partner Richard Nutt and Innovation Incentives Director Simone Barker discuss the Australian economy and how tariffs are impacting Australian manufacturing businesses – and what they can do to mitigate risks.

As of April 9, 2025, a minimum universal tariff of 10 per cent has been applied to all imported goods into the United States, while certain countries face higher reciprocal tariffs based on their US trade deficit.

Skills gaps in customs and trade threaten the bottom line and restrict future growth. While recruitment strategies are the key to solving this challenge in the long term, customs and trade managers can ensure operational tasks and strategic projects stay on track by bringing in a trusted, external partner to act as an extension of their team.

Organisations are bringing cost diligence back into the customs and trade planning equation in response to improving supply chain conditions. But finding cost efficiencies should not lead to higher risk, lower quality, slower delivery times, or detract from customer satisfaction. Instead, the focus should be on strategies that are a win for both the customer and your organisation’s bottom line.

The pandemic, the global shipping crisis and the shock of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine drove hard-pressed customs and trade professionals to focus almost entirely on reducing risk and ensuring continuity of supply. But recent evidence of improving supply conditions means that pressures on customs teams are finally beginning to normalise.

The recent reintroduction of tariffs by the US Government has created significant challenges for Australian businesses engaged in international trade.

US tariff changes are adding pressure on Australian businesses, with higher costs, supply chain disruptions, and new trade restrictions. With additional tariffs on imports from China and Hong Kong, businesses need to rethink pricing, sourcing, and operations to stay competitive.

The ATO is cracking down on tax avoidance in the property sector, focusing on international related-party financing. With increased enforcement until 2028, private groups must review their funding structures to ensure compliance and avoid penalties.

The ATO has tightened exemption criteria for country-by-country reporting, effective January 1, 2024. Taxpayers will need to submit more information, aligning with the ATO's focus on international tax risks and local file reporting.

The ATO has increased local file reporting requirements to better understand international tax risks. These changes apply from 1 January 2025, for periods starting on or after 1 January 2024. CbCREs will need more time and resources to comply.

Australia's Parliament has passed the Pillar Two rules, aligning with the OECD's global initiative to establish a 15% minimum tax rate for large multinational enterprises (MNEs).

Australia's new Public Country-by-Country reporting law, effective 1 July 2024, mandates multinationals to disclose financial activities, tax practices, and profit allocation per country.