WEBINAR
Tariffs Aren’t Going Away: The Procurement Playbook for the New Trade Era
Tuesday, July 14, 2026
9:00AM PT • 12:00PM ET • Live webinar with Q&A
Register now to understand what the latest tariff changes mean for your sourcing strategy.
Can’t make it live? Register anyway and we’ll send the recording.
Overview
The courts struck down the IEEPA tariffs and roughly $170B in duties are moving back toward importers. Easy to read that as the tariff era is ending. It isn’t.
Section 232, 301, and the new 122 surcharge all survived. Elevated tariffs are the baseline now - and refunds hinge on deadlines and documentation, not on who overpaid. Most entries won't be refunded automatically.
Butzel trade Counsel Mitchell Zajac breaks down where things stand. LightSource frames what it means for the sourcing decisions you're making right now.
What you'll learn
1. Where the $170B in refunds actually sits — and why most won’t come back automatically
CAPE Phase 1 eligibility, the entries that fall outside it, and the protest and litigation deadlines running into 2027.
2. Why elevated tariffs are structural, not temporary
The Section 232 expansion across autos, metals, semis, and pharma; fast-tracked 301 investigations across 60 trade partners; and the 122 surcharge filling the gap.
3. How the April 2026 Section 232 metals and pharma rules change your exposure
Rates by HTSUS chapter, the 15% metal-weight threshold that pulls non-metal products into scope, and the end of stacking.
4. A risk-mitigation playbook you can act on
Shifting to USMCA-compliant and lower-tariff origins, using FTZs, drawback, and TIB, tightening documentation, and prepping for DOJ and DHS enforcement — where importers carry the liability, not brokers.
Meet the Speakers
Mitchell Zajac
Shareholder
Butzel
Mitchell Zajac is a Shareholder at Butzel and a registered patent attorney. A former engineer at a Detroit Three automaker, he advises manufacturers and supply chain leaders on USMCA, Section 301 and 232 tariffs, IEEPA, and customs compliance — with a practical understanding of how trade policy translates into real sourcing and cost decisions.
Spencer Penn
Chief Executive Officer
LightSource
Spencer co-founded LightSource after working in operations and supply chain at Tesla and Waymo. He built LightSource to fix the infrastructure problem that quietly determines product cost, launch speed, and supply chain resilience at manufacturers.
WEBINAR
Tariffs Aren’t Going Away: The Procurement Playbook for the New Trade Era
Tuesday, July 14, 2026
9:00AM PT • 12:00PM ET • Live webinar with Q&A
Register now to understand what the latest tariff changes mean for your sourcing strategy.
Can’t make it live? Register anyway and we’ll send the recording.
Overview
The courts struck down the IEEPA tariffs and roughly $170B in duties are moving back toward importers. Easy to read that as the tariff era is ending. It isn’t.
Section 232, 301, and the new 122 surcharge all survived. Elevated tariffs are the baseline now - and refunds hinge on deadlines and documentation, not on who overpaid. Most entries won't be refunded automatically.
Butzel trade Counsel Mitchell Zajac breaks down where things stand. LightSource frames what it means for the sourcing decisions you're making right now.
What you'll learn
1. Where the $170B in refunds actually sits — and why most won’t come back automatically
CAPE Phase 1 eligibility, the entries that fall outside it, and the protest and litigation deadlines running into 2027.
2. Why elevated tariffs are structural, not temporary
The Section 232 expansion across autos, metals, semis, and pharma; fast-tracked 301 investigations across 60 trade partners; and the 122 surcharge filling the gap.
3. How the April 2026 Section 232 metals and pharma rules change your exposure
Rates by HTSUS chapter, the 15% metal-weight threshold that pulls non-metal products into scope, and the end of stacking.
4. A risk-mitigation playbook you can act on
Shifting to USMCA-compliant and lower-tariff origins, using FTZs, drawback, and TIB, tightening documentation, and prepping for DOJ and DHS enforcement — where importers carry the liability, not brokers.
Meet the Speakers
Mitchell Zajac
Shareholder
Butzel
Mitchell Zajac is a Shareholder at Butzel and a registered patent attorney. A former engineer at a Detroit Three automaker, he advises manufacturers and supply chain leaders on USMCA, Section 301 and 232 tariffs, IEEPA, and customs compliance — with a practical understanding of how trade policy translates into real sourcing and cost decisions.
Spencer Penn
Chief Executive Officer
LightSource
Spencer co-founded LightSource after working in operations and supply chain at Tesla and Waymo. He built LightSource to fix the infrastructure problem that quietly determines product cost, launch speed, and supply chain resilience at manufacturers.
WEBINAR
Tariffs Aren’t Going Away: The Procurement Playbook for the New Trade Era
Tuesday, July 14, 2026
9:00AM PT • 12:00PM ET • Live webinar with Q&A
Register now to understand what the latest tariff changes mean for your sourcing strategy.
Can’t make it live? Register anyway and we’ll send the recording.
Overview
The courts struck down the IEEPA tariffs and roughly $170B in duties are moving back toward importers. Easy to read that as the tariff era is ending. It isn’t.
Section 232, 301, and the new 122 surcharge all survived. Elevated tariffs are the baseline now - and refunds hinge on deadlines and documentation, not on who overpaid. Most entries won't be refunded automatically.
Butzel trade Counsel Mitchell Zajac breaks down where things stand. LightSource frames what it means for the sourcing decisions you're making right now.
What you'll learn
1. Where the $170B in refunds actually sits — and why most won’t come back automatically
CAPE Phase 1 eligibility, the entries that fall outside it, and the protest and litigation deadlines running into 2027.
2. Why elevated tariffs are structural, not temporary
The Section 232 expansion across autos, metals, semis, and pharma; fast-tracked 301 investigations across 60 trade partners; and the 122 surcharge filling the gap.
3. How the April 2026 Section 232 metals and pharma rules change your exposure
Rates by HTSUS chapter, the 15% metal-weight threshold that pulls non-metal products into scope, and the end of stacking.
4. A risk-mitigation playbook you can act on
Shifting to USMCA-compliant and lower-tariff origins, using FTZs, drawback, and TIB, tightening documentation, and prepping for DOJ and DHS enforcement — where importers carry the liability, not brokers.
Meet the Speakers
Mitchell Zajac
Shareholder
Butzel
Mitchell Zajac is a Shareholder at Butzel and a registered patent attorney. A former engineer at a Detroit Three automaker, he advises manufacturers and supply chain leaders on USMCA, Section 301 and 232 tariffs, IEEPA, and customs compliance — with a practical understanding of how trade policy translates into real sourcing and cost decisions.
Spencer Penn
Chief Executive Officer
LightSource
Spencer co-founded LightSource after working in operations and supply chain at Tesla and Waymo. He built LightSource to fix the infrastructure problem that quietly determines product cost, launch speed, and supply chain resilience at manufacturers.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Need support or want a demo? Let us know. We are just a message away.
What is LightSource?
LightSource is an AI-powered enterprise procurement platform that serves as a complete operating system for strategic and direct sourcing. It centralizes collaboration, project management, cost tracking, and decision-making for buyers and suppliers in one place.
What problems does LightSource solve?
We replace outdated, email-and-spreadsheet procurement workflows with a unified platform. LightSource eliminates inefficiencies like manual data entry, poor cost visibility, and disconnected communication, enabling faster cycles, greater transparency, and measurable cost savings.
Who founded LightSource and why?
Co-founders Spencer Penn (Tesla Model 3 sourcing lead) and Idan Mintz (GoogleX) saw firsthand how legacy procurement methods slowed complex sourcing. They built LightSource to create the modern, end-to-end platform they wished they’d had.
How does LightSource leverage AI?
Our AI standardizes supplier data from PDFs, emails, and spreadsheets, enabling instant quote comparisons down to the BOM level. It automates bid analysis, recommends award scenarios, and accelerates RFX setup with smart templates.
What makes LightSource different from other procurement software?
LightSource is the only sourcing platform purpose-built for large-scale direct materials procurement. We combine end-to-end functionality, advanced AI, and a focus on buyer–supplier collaboration—without the heavy customization most legacy systems require.
What industries and customers use LightSource?
We serve Global 2,000 and Fortune 500 companies in industries like automotive, aerospace & defense, chemicals, consumer electronics, retail & apparel, and industrial food. Customers include Shure, HelloFresh, Canada Goose, and Bombardier (BRP).
How does LightSource improve sourcing decisions?
Our AI bid analysis compares quotes across price, quality, and delivery time, revealing optimal supplier combinations. Users can run award scenario modeling at the line-item level to maximize value and savings.
How does LightSource accelerate RFX and sourcing cycles?
AI-recommended templates let teams launch complex RFQs in minutes, collect and standardize quotes, and manage iterative sourcing rounds—all with complete visibility from start to finish.
How does LightSource handle integrations?
LightSource works immediately without integration, but can connect seamlessly to ERP, PLM, and purchasing systems. This bridges product development and procurement, eliminating manual data transfers.
How does LightSource help with tariff changes and supply chain shifts?
When tariffs or market changes require supplier switches, LightSource streamlines onboarding and competitive bidding, helping teams adapt quickly while maintaining cost control and supply chain stability.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Need support or want a demo? Let us know. We are just a message away.
What is LightSource?
LightSource is an AI-powered enterprise procurement platform that serves as a complete operating system for strategic and direct sourcing. It centralizes collaboration, project management, cost tracking, and decision-making for buyers and suppliers in one place.
What problems does LightSource solve?
We replace outdated, email-and-spreadsheet procurement workflows with a unified platform. LightSource eliminates inefficiencies like manual data entry, poor cost visibility, and disconnected communication, enabling faster cycles, greater transparency, and measurable cost savings.
Who founded LightSource and why?
Co-founders Spencer Penn (Tesla Model 3 sourcing lead) and Idan Mintz (GoogleX) saw firsthand how legacy procurement methods slowed complex sourcing. They built LightSource to create the modern, end-to-end platform they wished they’d had.
How does LightSource leverage AI?
Our AI standardizes supplier data from PDFs, emails, and spreadsheets, enabling instant quote comparisons down to the BOM level. It automates bid analysis, recommends award scenarios, and accelerates RFX setup with smart templates.
What makes LightSource different from other procurement software?
LightSource is the only sourcing platform purpose-built for large-scale direct materials procurement. We combine end-to-end functionality, advanced AI, and a focus on buyer–supplier collaboration—without the heavy customization most legacy systems require.
What industries and customers use LightSource?
We serve Global 2,000 and Fortune 500 companies in industries like automotive, aerospace & defense, chemicals, consumer electronics, retail & apparel, and industrial food. Customers include Shure, HelloFresh, Canada Goose, and Bombardier (BRP).
How does LightSource improve sourcing decisions?
Our AI bid analysis compares quotes across price, quality, and delivery time, revealing optimal supplier combinations. Users can run award scenario modeling at the line-item level to maximize value and savings.
How does LightSource accelerate RFX and sourcing cycles?
AI-recommended templates let teams launch complex RFQs in minutes, collect and standardize quotes, and manage iterative sourcing rounds—all with complete visibility from start to finish.
How does LightSource handle integrations?
LightSource works immediately without integration, but can connect seamlessly to ERP, PLM, and purchasing systems. This bridges product development and procurement, eliminating manual data transfers.
How does LightSource help with tariff changes and supply chain shifts?
When tariffs or market changes require supplier switches, LightSource streamlines onboarding and competitive bidding, helping teams adapt quickly while maintaining cost control and supply chain stability.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Need support or want a demo? Let us know. We are just a message away.
What is LightSource?
LightSource is an AI-powered enterprise procurement platform that serves as a complete operating system for strategic and direct sourcing. It centralizes collaboration, project management, cost tracking, and decision-making for buyers and suppliers in one place.
What problems does LightSource solve?
We replace outdated, email-and-spreadsheet procurement workflows with a unified platform. LightSource eliminates inefficiencies like manual data entry, poor cost visibility, and disconnected communication, enabling faster cycles, greater transparency, and measurable cost savings.
Who founded LightSource and why?
Co-founders Spencer Penn (Tesla Model 3 sourcing lead) and Idan Mintz (GoogleX) saw firsthand how legacy procurement methods slowed complex sourcing. They built LightSource to create the modern, end-to-end platform they wished they’d had.
How does LightSource leverage AI?
Our AI standardizes supplier data from PDFs, emails, and spreadsheets, enabling instant quote comparisons down to the BOM level. It automates bid analysis, recommends award scenarios, and accelerates RFX setup with smart templates.
What makes LightSource different from other procurement software?
LightSource is the only sourcing platform purpose-built for large-scale direct materials procurement. We combine end-to-end functionality, advanced AI, and a focus on buyer–supplier collaboration—without the heavy customization most legacy systems require.
What industries and customers use LightSource?
We serve Global 2,000 and Fortune 500 companies in industries like automotive, aerospace & defense, chemicals, consumer electronics, retail & apparel, and industrial food. Customers include Shure, HelloFresh, Canada Goose, and Bombardier (BRP).
How does LightSource improve sourcing decisions?
Our AI bid analysis compares quotes across price, quality, and delivery time, revealing optimal supplier combinations. Users can run award scenario modeling at the line-item level to maximize value and savings.
How does LightSource accelerate RFX and sourcing cycles?
AI-recommended templates let teams launch complex RFQs in minutes, collect and standardize quotes, and manage iterative sourcing rounds—all with complete visibility from start to finish.
How does LightSource handle integrations?
LightSource works immediately without integration, but can connect seamlessly to ERP, PLM, and purchasing systems. This bridges product development and procurement, eliminating manual data transfers.
How does LightSource help with tariff changes and supply chain shifts?
When tariffs or market changes require supplier switches, LightSource streamlines onboarding and competitive bidding, helping teams adapt quickly while maintaining cost control and supply chain stability.
AI Native.
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AI Native.
Smarter Awards.
Better Outcomes.
AI Native.
Smarter Awards.
Better Outcomes.
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