China: 54% (Steel, aluminum, fixtures, equipment) • EU: 20% (Specialty materials, fixtures, machinery) • Vietnam: 46% (Furniture, fixtures, woodwork) • Japan: 24% (Electronic components, precision equipment) • Taiwan: 32% (Electronic systems, specialized materials)

China: 54% (Steel, aluminum, fixtures, equipment) • EU: 20% (Specialty materials, fixtures, machinery) • Vietnam: 46% (Furniture, fixtures, woodwork) • Japan: 24% (Electronic components, precision equipment) • Taiwan: 32% (Electronic systems, specialized materials)

Tariffs Cause Major Construction Disputes.

The April 2025 tariff increases are creating significant contractual disputes in the construction industry.

Project Neutral® provides rapid Early Neutral Evaluation to resolve these issues before they impact project momentum.

How Project Neutral® Resolves Tariff Disputes

Rapid Resolution Our focused 21-day Early Neutral Evaluation (ENE) process provides clear guidance on tariff-related disputes before they escalate into project-threatening issues.

Expert Neutrals Our Project Neutrals are senior construction executives with decades of experience navigating complex contractual disputes, including force majeure and price escalation challenges.

Preserves Relationships Unlike litigation or arbitration, our approach maintains working relationships between owners, contractors, and suppliers – critical for project success.

Practical Solutions We deliver implementable recommendations that can be immediately converted to change orders, keeping your project moving despite tariff disruptions.

Our 21-Day Resolution Process

Step 1: Document Review We analyze your contract, procurement documents, and relevant tariff impacts.

Step 2: Stakeholder Interviews We conduct focused interviews with key project team members to understand positions and constraints.

Step 3: Analysis & Solutions We apply contract analysis, industry expertise, and legal precedents to develop practical solutions.

Step 4: Written Evaluation We deliver a comprehensive assessment with specific recommendations for tariff dispute resolution.

Tariff Disputes Require Immediate Action

Cascade Effect Tariff issues quickly cascade through the supply chain, affecting multiple subcontractors and suppliers.

Cash Flow Impact Unresolved tariff disputes can create payment bottlenecks that threaten project financing and contractor solvency.

Schedule Disruption Material and equipment delays due to tariff disputes can derail critical path activities and trigger liquidated damages.

Relationship Damage As positions harden, owner-contractor-supplier relationships deteriorate, making resolution more difficult.

How Tariff Disputes Often Manifest

The new tariffs are creating construction disputes under several legal mechanisms:

  • Force Majeure Clauses

  • Price Escalation Provisions

  • Changed Conditions Claims

  • Commercial Impracticability (UCC §2-615)

  • Contractor Default Risk

  • Supply Chain Disruption

Project Neutral® provides objective evaluation of these claims based on your specific contract and project circumstances.

The April 2025 tariff increases are among the most significant in U.S. history, affecting key construction materials and equipment.

These unprecedented tariff increases are causing severe disruption to fixed-price contracts, supply chains, and project timelines.