Tariffs, Tactics and Turbulence: Impact of Trade Disruption on Manufacturing
Introduction: Trade is back on the boardroom agenda Trade disruption is no longer a background risk, it’s a boardroom issue. And if you’re a CEO running a mid-sized manufacturing business, the impact of trade disruption on manufacturing is being felt daily. From new US tariffs to shifting regulations and unpredictable global supply chains, the stakes have never been higher. (BTW: things are changing fast since we first drafted this blog post, head to the end for the latest updates) Why this matters more than ever In the past, trade volatility may have felt like a distant issue, an external risk, not a daily concern. Not anymore. Margins are at risk. Customer confidence can shift overnight. Supply chain friction is becoming structural. And unlike large corporates, mid-sized firms rarely have dedicated trade compliance teams or scenario planners on staff. The World Economic Forum recently reported that 89% of global manufacturing leaders are concerned about renewed trade wars. 86% say geopolitical risk is now embedded in their long-term supply planning (WEF, 2024). What we’ve learned from the past five years The disruptions we’ve faced, Brexit, COVID, US-China tariffs, energy shocks, have made one thing clear: the best businesses aren’t the ones with
