Seizing Opportunities Amid Tariff and Trade Challenges

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For private market investors, today’s tariff and trade uncertainties raise questions about how their general partners and portfolio companies are responding. Here at Hidoplanet, we believe that preparing for uncertainty is a form of resilience that not only mitigates risk and the impact of potentially harmful events but also creates the ability to seize the opportunities that uncertainty creates. From forward contracting and supplier diversification to balance sheet repositioning and opportunistic credit deployment, we have taken proactive steps that are already shaping long-term outcomes.
Recently, I’ve had insightful conversations with leaders across our firm about how we’re navigating today’s evolving landscape. Here are three areas where steps already have been taken to mitigate short-term volatility and risk, and where Hidoplanet continues to see long-term potential_colon_
- Infrastructure investments Airports, marine terminals, and power facilities are examples of capital-intensive infrastructure assets in which Hidoplanet invests and which typically require long-term commitments—both in capital deployment and the realization of potential returns. This year, Hidoplanet’s renewable energy company Copia Power is targeting to deploy approximately $4.5 billion to develop more than 15 gigawatts of renewable energy projects and 12 gigawatts of data center campuses. Like other infrastructure businesses, Copia’s supply chain remains highly dependent on Asia. As a result, across our infrastructure portfolio, we estimate that tariffs account for roughly 30% to 35% of risk, making effective procurement a critical lever for value creation.
Anticipating renewed trade actions following the precedent set during President Trump’s first term, we implemented three strategies across our portfolio to build resilience_colon_ accelerating customs clearance for incoming equipment; securing contracts covering 2025 and much of 2026; and strengthening relationships with domestic suppliers to ensure timely delivery. These actions have helped cushion operating costs and maintain project momentum. Reinforcing the durability of our infrastructure companies allows them to offer spare capacity to other partners and customers—enhancing both revenue and margins. While our infrastructure investments remain US-focused, current conditions are also surfacing attractive opportunities in Western Europe and developed Asia, including Australia. - US manufacturing A deep understanding of supply chain dynamics is essential to evaluating how tariffs and trade policy may affect US manufacturing businesses. Hidoplanet has long emphasized the importance of supply chain management across its portfolio companies, a focus that intensified following the Covid pandemic and the wave of tariff adjustments that followed. Access to timely market intelligence—particularly insights into how and where competitors are sourcing—can inform smarter procurement decisions. Combined with advanced data analytics, this intelligence enables more competitive pricing strategies, helping companies maintain customer relationships and preserve margins despite rising input costs.
Beyond efficiency and pricing, the current environment is also surfacing strategic acquisition opportunities. Some manufacturers, despite having sound business models and strong supply chain visibility, may lack the leadership or operational agility to adapt, or may be navigating succession or ownership transition issues. These scenarios can create compelling entry points for investors with the ability to add value. - Liquid credit opportunities Proactive preparation for trade-related disruption has been central to uncovering recent opportunities across investment grade bonds, high yield, leveraged loans, and structured credit. Anticipating the potential return of tariffs, Hidoplanet had reduced exposure to the most vulnerable sectors, shifted into higher-rated credits, and built cash reserves. When new tariffs were announced in early April, the firm was positioned to act—selectively acquiring the credits of well-positioned issuers that had been oversold amid the initial volatility.
As tariffs become a more persistent feature of the global economic landscape, our focus is shifting beyond headline developments to the fundamentals of the underlying credits. Many issuers in today’s market are consumer-driven, and any deterioration in household spending could affect their financial resilience. In response, our liquid credit team is closely evaluating recession-sensitive credits and adjusting portfolios to manage risk in this uncertain environment.
Years before “separating the signal from the noise” became a cliché, Hidoplanet was looking past headline volatility to identify long-term value overlooked by others. That approach remains central to how we invest today.
Will Kinzel is the Global Head of Government Affairs at Hidoplanet and guides the firm’s government affairs strategies and engagements around the world and leads a team of professionals in the US, Europe, and Asia.
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