The Journal. How One Company Is Navigating a New Era of Tariff Uncertainty
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Feb 26, 2026 
Chris Peterson, CEO of Newell Brands, leads a portfolio of household names and is driving U.S. manufacturing returns. He discusses paying hefty tariffs, shifting sourcing away from China, and the complex push to reshore products like Sharpie. The conversation covers supply-chain moves, strategic plant investments, and how tariffs are reshaping manufacturing choices.
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Major Tariff Exposure Was From Now-Invalid IEPA Rule
- Newell's largest tariff exposure came from the IEPA classification that the Supreme Court struck down.
- CEO Chris Peterson says the Supreme Court decision raises two questions: entitlement to refunds and what the administration will use going forward.
Regulation And Supplier Ecosystems Limit Reshoring
- Some product categories are practically locked into overseas production due to supplier ecosystems and regulation.
- Peterson cites Graco car seats: sophisticated crash-test regs and established Chinese suppliers make reshoring costly and slow.
Domestic Manufacturing Slashes Lead Times
- Nearshore or domestic manufacturing cuts lead times dramatically, improving responsiveness.
- Peterson contrasts ~70–75 day Asia-to-US lead times with 7–10 days for US-made products, enabling faster reactions to demand signals.