Cooper Tire has reported an improvement in its profits in North America in 1Q 2019 compared to a year earlier despite the imposition of tariffs on radial tire imports from China. A “market phasing” of price increases has helped but is “not expected to offset the full cost of the tariffs in 2019” according to CFO Christopher Eperjesy. The firm’s supply chain appears to be undergoing some realignment. Total U.S. seaborne imports increased by 5.6% year over year in 1Q 2019. Imports from China have declined by 0.6%, including a 24.7% slump in March alone.