Trade regulations, policies and disputes as well as geopolitical changes and trends such as populism, protectionism and economic nationalism can and have resulted in increased tariffs and trade barriers, which can and have limited DuPont’s ability to sell certain products to certain customers, and have otherwise impacted its global supply and distribution chains and research and development activities. The extent, duration or escalation in specific trade tensions, such as between the U.S. and China, or in the global trade conflict more broadly, could be harmful to global economic growth, increase market uncertainty and volatility and adversely impact the Company’s business in or with China or other countries. The resulting impact on general economic conditions and on DuPont’s business are uncertain and depend on various factors, such as negotiations between the U.S. and affected countries, the responses of other countries or regions, exemptions or exclusions that may be granted, availability and cost of alternative sources of supply, and DuPont’s ability to change its supply chains or otherwise execute its sourcing model to offset the effects of the tariffs and other trade barriers.
In addition, the Company is subject to export control and economic sanctions laws and regulations that restrict the delivery of some products and services to certain countries (and nationals thereof), to certain end users, and for certain end uses. These restrictions have and may in the future prohibit the transfer of certain of DuPont’s products, services and technologies, and have and may in the future require us to obtain a license from the U.S. government before delivering the controlled item or service. Obtaining export licenses may be difficult, costly and time-consuming, and DuPont may fail to receive licenses it applies for on a timely basis or at all. The Company must also comply with export control and economic sanctions laws and regulations imposed by other countries. DuPont’s export and trade control compliance program may be ineffective or circumvented, exposing us to legal liabilities. Compliance with these laws could significantly limit the Company’s sales in the future.
Ultimately, changes in, and responses to, U.S. trade controls have the potential to reduce the competitiveness of DuPont products and cause sales to decline, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations. Such risks may be especially exacerbated as they relate to China and Hong Kong, a market that represented approximately 10 percent of the Company’s consolidated net sales for the year ended December 31, 2025.
On April 4, 2025, the Company announced that it was aware of a report that the State Administration for Market Regulation of the People’s Republic of China (“SAMR”) initiated an investigation in connection with the Company’s Tyvek® business. SAMR has suspended the antitrust investigation process. DuPont Tyvek® sales to China in full year 2025 were approximately 1 percent of DuPont’s 2025 consolidated net sales.