Companies adopt 'tariff engineering' to modify products to qualify for lower tariffs, but the legal risks are high.

In the context of President Trump's tariffs, companies are using 'tariff engineering' to strategically alter products to fit into lower-duty tariff categories. Examples include Converse, which turns shoes into slippers, and Columbia Sportswear, which adds pockets to reduce taxes. This practice, while legal, can become risky, as in the case of Ford, which has been accused of vehicle classification fraud. 'Tariff engineering' remains an effective but risky method for cutting import costs.