How Currency Shifts, Tariffs, and Supply Chains Shape U.S. Import Costs: Insights from James Chittenden of OneClickAdvisor
Author(s): Scott Douglas Jacobsen
Publication (Outlet/Website): A Further Inquiry
Publication Date (yyyy/mm/dd): 2025/10/23
James Chittenden is the CEO and Small Business Strategist at OneClickAdvisor, a platform dedicated to equipping entrepreneurs with the tools, education, and resources needed to succeed at every stage of business growth. From pre-venture to mature enterprises, he helps small business owners navigate planning, strategy, and financing. Under his leadership, OneClickAdvisor has become a trusted provider of business plans for professionals worldwide pursuing U.S. entrepreneur and investor visas. Drawing on years of experience in entrepreneurship and strategic guidance, James empowers startups, immigrant entrepreneurs, and established businesses to thrive, grow sustainably, and achieve long-term success in competitive markets.
In this interview with Scott Douglas Jacobsen, Chittenden discusses how currency movements, tariffs, and supply chain diversification are reshaping U.S. import strategies. He explains that while the yuan’s rise has made Chinese goods costlier, they remain cheaper than in 2022, though weaker competitors may exit the market. Chittenden highlights the growing use of multi-currency invoicing, supplier diversification, and hedging to manage volatility. He considers the “China+1” strategy a permanent fixture and notes that tariffs and currency policies now interact to reshape trade flows. Ultimately, he advises entrepreneurs to plan for flexibility, hedge strategically, and leverage strong-dollar periods for long-term stability.
Scott Douglas Jacobsen: How are recent USD–CNY moves feeding through to landed costs for U.S. importers?
James Chittenden: While the yuan has risen vs. the dollar from an April 2025 low, yuan-priced goods are still a relative bargain for U.S. importers compared to 2022. U.S. importers with healthy profit margins can absorb the increased costs from China, but some of their competitors may not be so fortunate. The result is less competition, which will result in everyone eventually paying more for goods from China.
Jacobsen: Are firms shifting invoice currencies to manage FX risk?
Chittenden: If a firm does a significant amount of business in another country, they will likely have employees, contractors, contacts, and bank accounts in that country. Also, other countries that can manufacture the same things people were buying from China become more attractive when the yuan is worth more.
Jacobsen: Does multi-currency invoicing reduce margin volatility?
Chittenden: Invoicing in multiple currencies can help tame volatility, but the real benefits come from having suppliers in multiple countries. For example, manufacturers in Vietnam provided less expensive products and a more reliable supply chain during the Covid-19 period when Chinese manufacturers were unable to fill orders.
Jacobsen: Which hedging tools are cost-effective for SMEs?
Chittenden: If the dollar weakens against the currency of another country, importing and hiring from that country will become more expensive, yes. However, if you sell to that country, you will make more money. If you can sell to customers in that country, do it.
Have a backup plan. If importing from one country becomes too expensive because of currency fluctuations, identify and contract with suppliers in alternate countries.
Another tool is to take advantage of a strong dollar while local currency is weak but buying as much of that currency as possible and keeping it on deposit in the country where you are doing business.
When the dollar is strong, buy as much inventory as possible.
Jacobsen: Is the “China+1” realignment entrenched or cyclical?
Chittenden: The China+1 strategy is simply common sense. Have a plan B for when a supply chain from China fails. Have a plan C and D too. Companies that can do so will employ that strategy, and it is here to stay.
Jacobsen: How do 2024–2025 tariff changes on Chinese goods alter relative advantages vs. currency moves?
Chittenden: China is a major purchaser of commodities throughout the globe. China’s central bank acts to strengthen the yuan when China needs to increase imports of commodities. The country buys a significant percentage of the world’s copper, crude oil, and iron ore.
Therefore, a stronger yuan is a signal that large purchases of those commodities are occurring, which increases their prices.
Those are consumed by Chinese manufacturers who use them to supply the world with machinery, electronics, household goods, apparel, and more. Those goods are less competitive when subject to higher tariffs such as in 2025.
Those higher tariffs, coupled with a yuan that was increased by China’s central bank, will decrease demand for the yuan. The value then falls.
Jacobsen: Since the pandemic, are freight, fuel, and insurance now larger drivers of import prices?
Chittenden: Freight, fuel, and insurance are higher drivers of import prices since 2020. Of course, worldwide lockdowns and greatly reduced travel and overseas commerce brought fuel prices and freight to low levels in those days.
The United States is one of many countries that printed currency at that time to keep their economies stimulated. The resulting inflation afflicts many countries.
Jacobsen: If the dollar weakens, what are the near-term implications for U.S. inflation?
Chittenden: If the dollar weakens, your business will pay more for foreign goods and employees if you are offshoring. Dollars would be worth less both at in and out of the United States, increasing costs for a wide variety of sectors.
Jacobsen: Thank you for the opportunity and your time, James.
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