US tariff volatility is pushing companies to rethink sourcing and supply chains, with Mexico emerging as a key nearshoring hub, reports New York's FreightWaves.

Executives from Igloo, IKEA, DSV and the National Retail Federation told the Houston International Maritime Conference that shifting tariffs are disrupting planning and increasing reliance on customs brokers.

Pete Mento of DSV said brokers face mounting pressure from constant reclassifications and regulatory changes. He urged importers to value broker expertise amid rising workloads.

Cris Borzani of Igloo said tariff updates often arrive mid-communication, complicating leadership briefings. IKEA's Christopher Smith noted legacy systems cannot manage layered tariffs, requiring manual broker input for tens of thousands of entries.

IKEA expects over US$400 million in tariff-related costs this year. Mr Smith said sourcing shifts are slow, but Europe is gaining favour due to reciprocal tariff agreements.

Igloo is moving production from China to Cambodia, Thailand and the US. However, new tariffs on Southeast Asian goods and vessel scheduling issues complicate outsourcing.

Mr Mento said US policy aims to isolate China and promote North American manufacturing under USMCA. Mexico is benefiting, with Chinese firms opening factories to retain US market access.

Customs enforcement is increasing, with more CF-28 requests and public violation disclosures. Mr Mento warned that inaccurate Delivered Duty Paid arrangements could expose firms to legal risk.

Kuehne+Nagel expanded its El Paso, Texas logistics footprint with a new 217,431-square-foot bonded warehouse to meet rising US-Mexico trade demand. Its previous site reached full capacity within a year.

The facility includes 53 dock doors, 65 trailer spaces and cross-dock capabilities. Headquartered in Switzerland, Kuehne+Nagel operates in 100 countries with over 80,000 employees.

India's Motherson Group will invest US$50 million to expand its Tlaxcala, Mexico plant, adding paint and injection moulding capacity for Audi's Q5 and EQ7 models.

The project will create 150 direct and 300 indirect jobs. Construction is scheduled for April to July 2026, with recruitment beginning in the second quarter via job fairs and digital platforms.