Welcome to the deep dive, where we unpack the critical sourcing decision global manufacturers face when selecting the best location to produce EPDM polymer. Drawing on six independent analyses, we calculate the true landed cost for EPDM across three primary options: China, Vietnam, and the domestic USA. This episode reveals that the "old rules have been completely rewritten". Trade policy, specifically the volatility and application of tariffs, has "completely eclipsed labor costs as the main factor" in the final price, creating a nearly $2 spread in landed costs per kilogram.

We analyze why China, despite offering the lowest raw material price globally, presents the "highest risk" due to devastating cumulative duties that can reach 45%. We also examine Vietnam's role as a "China plus one play," detailing why its dependency on imports and high transshipment risk make it structurally uncompetitive for raw polymer sourcing aimed at the US market.

Crucially, we establish how the US domestic market, thanks to zero tariff exposure, "almost surprisingly becomes the most cost competitive option at least on a reliable lowrisk basis". Learn the three primary strategies—including the consensus recommendation for a US-heavy domestic strategy—and the critical high-variance assumptions procurement managers must validate before signing a contract. This is essential listening for supply chain managers looking to move beyond simple dollar figures to quantify internal risks and invest in resilience