On April 2, 2025, President Trump announced a new round of tariffs that will impact trade relationships across nearly all United States trading partners. Following the initial announcement, implementation of most tariffs were paused for 90 days on April 9. However, a 10 percent universal baseline tariff still applies to all U.S. imports. More consequentially, the 125 percent reciprocal tariff rate for Chinese imports has gone into effect. When combined with pre-existing tariffs, Chinese imports could be subject to tariff rates of more than 170 percent. 

While the details and full effects of tariffs are uncertain and continue to unfold, it is likely that tariffs will create inflationary pressure on prices and create operational challenges during a time when funding is also uncertain. Our UCSF Supply Chain Management (SCM) team is working with the University of California (UC) Systemwide Procurement team to understand and mitigate the impact of tariffs by reviewing how our contracted suppliers—both UC-systemwide and UCSF-specific—plan to manage their exposure to high-tariff trading partners and negotiating how tariffs will be passed on to the University.  

As always, our best path forward is to lean into the tools and relationships that give UCSF stability and strength. That starts with prioritizing the use of UCSF and University of California (UC)-systemwide contracted suppliers whenever possible. These suppliers offer both the long-term business relationships and contract structure to address these types of economic challenges. By aggregating our spend with these contracted suppliers, we reinforce the value of our partnership and ensure continuity during this period of instability. Supplier catalogs in BearBuy remain your most reliable option for sourcing most goods. If the item you need isn’t available through a catalog, you can search UC Procurement Systemwide Contract Listings to find existing agreements. 

If you cannot purchase from our contracted suppliers, please consider possible impacts of tariffs when requesting supplier quotes—particularly for goods manufactured in China. If costs are increased by the supplier, it is preferable for tariffs and any additional fees to be clearly identified, rather than be embedded in the cost of the goods. Note that in addition to raising prices on the goods we purchase, price increases associated with tariffs are taxable in California. When negotiating on behalf of UCSF, our central buying team will aggressively negotiate the impact of tariffs on the total cost to ensure that the costs we are being asked to absorb are fair and appropriate.  

If you have a tariff-related question, you may contact your SCM department buyer, submit an SCM Response Team ticket, or contact me directly. SCM will provide periodic updates as we learn new information or the situation changes. 

Thank you for everything you do to support UCSF’s work in research, education, and patient care—especially during times that test our flexibility and resilience.  

Justin Sullivan 
Associate Vice Chancellor and Chief Procurement Officer 
UCSF Supply Chain Management