We have operations in more than 50 countries and our domestic and international operations are strongly influenced by matters beyond our control, including changes in geopolitical, social, economic and labor conditions, tax laws, and U.S. and international trade regulations (including tariffs), as well as the impact these changes have on demand for our products. In 2024, approximately 70% of our net sales were produced in international operations.
Macroeconomic developments such as impacts from slower growth in the geographic regions in which we operate; inflation, resulting from, among other things, increased raw material, energy, and freight costs; labor shortages; geopolitical, social, supply chain and other disruptions; epidemics, pandemics or other outbreaks of illness, disease or virus; and uncertainty in the global credit or financial markets could result in a material adverse effect on our business as a result of, among other things, lower consumer spending, fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, reduced asset valuations, diminished liquidity and credit availability, volatility in securities prices, and credit rating downgrades.
Tensions remain in trade relations between the U.S. and certain other regions and countries, including Canada, Mexico, China, India and the European Union. The U.S. recently announced intentions to impose a significant tariff on certain goods from Canada and Mexico and a smaller tariff on certain goods from China. Each of these countries announced that they would impose reciprocal tariffs, with Canada and Mexico each agreeing upon certain concessions with the U.S. to temporarily delay the mutual imposition of tariffs. The tariff on certain goods from China has gone into effect, with China imposing reciprocal tariffs, and the amount of these tariffs or the classes of goods on which they are imposed could significantly increase. The U.S. has also indicated that it may impose reciprocal tariffs on goods from other countries or regions. While the impacts on our operations to date have not been significant, our business could be materially adversely impacted by changes in U.S. and non-U.S. trade policies, including potential modifications to existing trade agreements and additional tariffs or restrictions on free trade, impacting our raw materials or finished products. These actions or other developments in international trade relations could have a material adverse effect on our business.
In addition, business and operational disruptions or delays caused by geopolitical, social or economic instability and unrest – such as recent civil, political and economic disturbances in Argentina, Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Iran, Turkey, North Korea, and Bangladesh and the related impact on global stability, the Russia-Ukraine war, the Israel-Hamas war, terrorist attacks and the potential for other hostilities or natural disasters in various parts of the world – could contribute to a climate of economic and geopolitical uncertainty that could have a material adverse effect on our business. Since the Russia-Ukraine war began in February 2022, we have maintained our position of not shipping products for the Russian market. The impact of the continuing war, as well as any further retaliatory actions taken by Russia, the U.S., the European Union and other jurisdictions, is unknown and could have a material adverse effect on our business. In addition, since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas war in late 2023; our sales in Israel have declined, with sales representing less than 1% of our total net sales in 2024. We have experienced some disruptions in our operations in Israel and the Middle East and implemented plans to address these disruptions, as well as the impacts thereof in Gaza, Lebanon and other areas of the Middle East, while focusing on the continued safety of our Israeli employees and their families. The continued impact of this war and any related hostilities in the Middle East region or elsewhere is unknown and could have a material adverse effect on our business.
We are not able to predict the duration and severity of adverse economic, social, geopolitical or market conditions in the U.S. or other countries.