July 16, 2025 – For Wisconsin counsel whose clients import components, export finished goods, or simply rely on global supply chains, the ground is shifting fast.
Milwaukee attorney Ngosong Fonkem of Amundsen Davis LLP distilled the practical implications of the new administration’s trade agenda – and what Wisconsin lawyers should do next – at the State Bar of Wisconsin’s 2025 Annual Meeting & Conference.
Fonkem’s central message is unambiguous: “Essentially every economic sector is impacted… There have been tariffs imposed on virtually every country around the world.”
The headline issue remains U.S.-China relations, but cascading tariffs and regulatory moves now touch Europe, Latin America, and beyond.
Short-Term Triage – Steps Lawyers Can Take Today
Fonkem recommends that attorneys help clients build a short-term playbook for immediate cost control and risk reduction.
Peter Kraemer is Digital Communications Coordinator with the State Bar of Wisconsin. He can be reached by email or by phone at (608) 250-6139.
Attorneys should be helping their clients ask, “What do I need to do right now to mitigate, reduce, avoid the impact of those [trade] restrictions in my business?,” says Fonkem.
Long-Term De-Risking – Rethinking Supply Chains and Markets
Looking beyond today’s triage, Fonkem urges lawyers to guide clients through strategic supply-chain realignment.
“If I have supply chains tied to China, what do I need to do to de-risk those supply chains? Perhaps move my manufacturing operations out of China into a much friendlier country.”
He cites one client relocating production to Poland to serve the Chinese market from outside China – a “reverse near-shoring” model that balances geopolitical risk with market access.
Which Economic Sectors are Impacted?
While every industry is feeling pressure, Fonkem singles out semiconductors and advanced technology as compliance flashpoints: “There’s going to be a lot of compliance obligation at least from an export perspective.”
Lawyers advising tech clients must monitor evolving export-control lists, licensing requirements, and potential sanctions exposure.
Small Business Realities
Smaller businesses often face smaller margins and lack the budget for full-time trade consultants, making legal guidance even more critical.
Fonkem suggests membership in sector-specific trade associations as a cost-effective way to keep decision-makers apprised of real-world impacts.
“That could be a way to collectively inform the government on some of the issues that are impacting their respective businesses.”
Final Advice: Adaptability Is Non-Negotiable
Asked for a single piece of guidance, Fonkem did not hesitate: Attorneys should “advise their clients to be flexible, to be pragmatic, and to be adaptable.”
In a policy environment where tariff rates can change overnight and new controls emerge with little warning, legal strategies must be dynamic.
Whether drafting contingency-laden contracts or setting up auditing systems that flag new duties within hours, Wisconsin lawyers play a pivotal role in keeping their clients resilient.
Key Takeaways for Your Practice
Build two playbooks. Clients need immediate cost-containment tactics and a long-term supply-chain vision – both anchored in solid legal groundwork.
Monitor U.S.-China policy. Tariff escalations, risk of forced decoupling, and sector-specific export controls remain the dominant drivers.
Leverage collective voices. Encourage small clients to join trade associations that advocate for tailored relief and supply real-time updates.
Champion adaptability. Survival in today’s trade landscape hinges on counsel who empower businesses to pivot quickly and strategically.
Bottom line: From semiconductor exporters to Main Street manufacturers, Wisconsin businesses face unprecedented trade volatility in 2025. By pairing short-term duty-mitigation tactics with long-term supply-chain re-engineering, attorneys can keep their clients compliant, competitive, and – above all – prepared for what comes next.
