Since the morning of Saturday, April 4, 2025 (Farvardin 16, 1404 in the Persian calendar), US customs officials at all points of entry (ports, airports, and customs warehouses) have begun collecting a new 10% tariff, unilaterally imposed by President Donald Trump as a “base tariff” on imports from many countries. Starting Wednesday, April 9, 2025 (Farvardin 20, 1404), higher “reciprocal tariffs” ranging from 11% to 50% will be applied to imports from 57 major US trading partners. This move signifies a complete abandonment of the global system of agreed-upon tariffs established after World War II and could significantly impact the dynamics and current order of global trade. The announcement of these tariffs last Wednesday shook global financial markets, with the S&P500 index losing $5 trillion in value in just two days—an unprecedented record. Oil and commodity prices plummeted, and like all global markets, the Tehran Stock Exchange also began the new year in the red, indicating a lack of investor confidence. These changes necessitate that businesses quickly analyze the potential implications and make the best decisions accordingly. For companies involved in international trade, the introduction of tariffs on exports and imports means a change in the landscape of costs, supply chains, and competitive market positions.
In the cellulosic products industry, this could have widespread effects. Despite the absence of direct exports from Iranian producers to the US, global changes will impact the domestic cellulosic industry, similar to other sectors. Producers relying on imported raw materials may face altered costs, affecting supply chains, pricing strategies, and profitability.4 Domestic exporters must re-evaluate the resilience of their export target markets, as higher tariffs on exports from target countries (including Iran) to the US could, due to a surplus of cellulosic products, reduce demand for Iranian imports or lead to expectations of lower prices, increased quality, altered payment terms, etc. Clearly, under these circumstances, companies located in the US must reconsider their supply sources and seek alternative suppliers from tariff-free or lower-tariff regions, potentially leading to shifts in trade partnerships and the normal flow of supply networks. Additionally, American exporters will face serious challenges due to reciprocal tariffs imposed by other countries on US imports, as evidenced by nationwide protests on April 6 (Farvardin 17) in most US states.
Therefore, similar to other countries, Iran will witness significant changes in the pricing of industrial products. The increased costs resulting from existing imbalances in the cellulosic industry could even push domestic markets and customers towards imported goods. Domestic producers must, therefore, seek greater efficiency in production, re-evaluate market conditions, and simultaneously explore new segments of national and international markets (perhaps in the US due to the 10% import tariff from Iran). Understanding the full cost implications of these changes is crucial for maintaining profitability and strategic advantage.
In an era of rapidly changing trade policies, access to reliable and actionable data is more vital than ever. Companies that fail to adapt to the new structures risk increased costs and lost market opportunities. Data-driven platforms and business intelligence tools such as Resource Wise, Fisher Solve, and Forest Stat Global offer powerful analytical tools, empowering businesses to anticipate changes, mitigate risks, and seize emerging opportunities ahead of their competitors. A prominent feature of these platforms is their comprehensive import and export database, which includes all associated costs, such as transportation, tariffs, and duties. This level of detail allows users to precisely observe how trade policies impact product pricing at countries’ entry and exit points.
Dr. Hossein Jalali Torshizi
Associate Professor of Cellulosic Industries and Member of the Technical Commission of the Syndicate
