U.S. companies are rushing to hire lobbyists and exploit loopholes as a result of Trump's tariff threats.

• Companies in the U.S. are overwhelmingly contacting lobbyists, seeking to establish connections with influential individuals to safeguard their enterprises from the harsh tariff policies of Donald Trump.
• Trump's economic campaign pitch included universal tariffs, with a proposed 20% tax on all imports from all countries, and a particularly harsh 60% rate for Chinese goods.
• The study revealed that the Trump administration was more likely to grant exemptions from import taxes to companies whose lobbying firms had made political donations to the Republican Party during his first term.

Since the election of President Donald Trump, Nicole Bivens Collinson's phone has been incessantly ringing.

Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg's international trade and government relations division head, Collinson, is receiving numerous calls from U.S. companies seeking to safeguard themselves from Trump's strict tariff policies by exploring loopholes and exceptions.

""It is nonstop as everyone is calling," Collinson told CNBC."

During the 2024 campaign, Trump emphasized universal tariffs as a key component of his economic strategy, proposing a 20% tax on all imports from all countries, with a particularly high 60% rate for Chinese goods.

The hyper-protectionist trade approach caused concern among economists, Wall Street analysts, and industry leaders, who cautioned that broad tariffs could increase production costs and consumer prices, exacerbating the impact of pandemic-era inflation spikes.

"Retailers and various U.S. businesses have been alarmed by the threat of tariffs, as stated by David French, senior vice president of government relations at the National Retail Federation, to CNBC. Since President Trump's nomination, our members have been preparing for contingency plans."

Sorini, Samet & Associates principal Ron Sorini stated that he receives at least two to three calls daily from companies expressing their concerns about the proposed tariff increase, particularly those based in China.

Sorini questioned how companies should determine their next steps and how they can extract components from China, as well as the entire supply chain.

In 2018, Trump's first set of China tariffs created a race to secure exemptions in corporate America, allowing companies to protect their China-based supply chains instead of facing the high cost of relocation.

To obtain the golden ticket, it was advantageous to know the right individuals.

A study from 2021 discovered that applications for Trump's first-term tariff exemptions were more likely to be granted when they originated from lobbying firms whose employees had made political donations to the Republican Party.

With Trump's impending return to the White House, the possibility of tariff escalation is increasing.

In corporate America, the competition is intense to identify the most effective lobbyists to help businesses gain an edge in obtaining tax exemptions.

"According to SUNY Buffalo finance professor Veljko Fotak, one of the authors of the 2021 study, the real winners of the process will be the lawyers and lobbyists."

The future of tariffs in the next Trump administration and whether any exemptions will be provided remain uncertain.

Tiffany Smith, vice president of global trade policy at the National Foreign Trade Council, stated that businesses must plan for multiple scenarios until clarity is achieved, as she told CNBC.

The Trump transition team spokeswoman, Karoline Leavitt, reiterated the president-elect's campaign promises in response to CNBC's inquiry about the Trump team's plan for exemptions and companies' concerns regarding the tariff proposals.

President Trump was re-elected by the American people with a significant margin, according to Leavitt, who stated that he will fulfill the campaign promises he made.

To counter Trump's more aggressive trade approach, companies have been implementing measures such as stockpiling goods, preparing for price hikes to cover the cost of import duties, and shifting their production outside of China.

Steve Madden announced that it will decrease its Chinese imports by 45% in the upcoming year in response to Trump's tariff plans.

Moving production out of China is a significant challenge for many U.S. companies, particularly small businesses that lack the bargaining power or resources to shift their operations easily.

"Sorini of Sorini, Samet & Associates advised CNBC that small businesses are the ones being severely impacted and urged people to consider their plight. He emphasized that these companies need assistance as they cannot handle the situation alone."