Trump’s Tariff Shake-Up

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New Tariff Policy Raises the Stakes for Global Trade

President Donald Trump signed a new executive order last Thursday introducing a reciprocal tariff policy for all current and future U.S. trade partners. This policy means any tax or tariff charged to U.S. exports will now be met with an identical tariff.

“This is about fairness,” Trump said at an Oval Office briefing. “If they charge us a tax, we’ll charge them the same tax.”

The policy will apply to tariffs, taxes like the value-added tax (VAT), and any measures that limit market access for U.S. businesses. Government officials—including the Secretary of Commerce and U.S. Trade Representative—will now review country-by-country trade agreements to pinpoint any imbalances. After this review, they’ll submit reports to the president with suggested solutions.

According to Jonathan Todd, vice-chair of a transportation and logistics law group, the White House favors this approach over a flat global tariff rate. "They’re moving away from broad tariffs on all imports to a more targeted approach," Todd said.

This move comes as Trump continues his tough stance on trade. In January, he imposed new duties on imports from China, Canada, and Mexico, though implementation for the latter two was delayed. Steel and aluminum imports are already facing new tariffs, sparking strong reactions from trading partners. The European Union has threatened retaliation, while Canada and Mexico condemned the tariffs as unwarranted.

Industries that rely on steel and aluminum—particularly automotive manufacturing—are bracing for impact. “Any additional costs will drive up vehicle prices,” said Stephanie Brinley, associate director at S&P Global Mobility. Given these tensions, global trade remains a space to watch closely as U.S. policies evolve.

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Grove Collaborative Expands Its Sustainable Line with Grab Green Acquisition

Grove Collaborative announced its acquisition of sustainable cleaning products company Grab Green earlier this week, signaling continued efforts to diversify its eco-friendly product offerings.

The companies first partnered in 2019 when Grab Green became a third-party seller on Grove’s platform. Patricia Spencer and Michael Edell, co-founders of Grab Green, will now join Grove in advisory roles to support integration and new product development.

“Grab Green has been a pioneer in sustainable, safe cleaning products that align perfectly with our mission,” said Jeff Yurcisin, CEO of Grove Collaborative. “This acquisition expands our impact and brings more innovative, environmentally-friendly solutions to our customers.”

Grab Green is known for its nontoxic, plant-based laundry and dishwasher pods. These products fit well with Grove’s efforts to eliminate single-use plastics and increase sustainable options for home essentials. “We’re excited to amplify our environmental mission with Grove’s extensive platform,” Edell shared.

Despite this strategic move, Grove Collaborative faces financial headwinds. CEO Yurcisin, who took over in 2023, inherited a company grappling with declining revenues and debt. However, recent initiatives to cut costs—including switching to Shopify and ending wholesale brick-and-mortar partnerships—have helped stabilize its finances. The company also secured capital from Volition Capital, enabling it to reduce debt and focus on growth.

Grove’s latest financial report showed a 22% revenue decline year-over-year, but net losses were slashed from $10 million to just $1.3 million—a sign of progress. With the Grab Green acquisition, Grove aims to broaden its customer reach and continue leading in sustainable home care.

That’s it for this week’s edition of Appjunction! Whether you’re monitoring global trade shifts or exploring sustainable innovations, staying informed is crucial. Stay tuned for more stories at the intersection of business, innovation, and opportunity in our next newsletter.