Why It Matters for Global Trade and Supply Chain Professionals
The US-China trade war is heating up again—and it’s hitting where it hurts: your wallet, your favorite products, and global supply chain operations. With new tariffs, import costs are soaring, and businesses are scrambling to respond.
In our debut episode of Let’s Talk Supply Chain News, we break it all down with an expert panel:
- Jen Morris, Founder of Ship Happens
- Manish Kapoor, Founder & CEO, Growth Catalyst Group (Ex-Amazon, Ex-FedEx)
- Crissy Manwaring, Global Sourcing Manager at Robertson Marketing
We discussed the real-time fallout of the latest US-China tariff policies, how they’re impacting consumers and retailers, and what smart companies are doing to stay ahead.
Key Takeaways from the Episode
1. Surprise Tariffs Are Shocking Consumers
Consumers are reporting unexpected charges—like $1,000 tariffs on $800 dresses. These fees are becoming more common as customs and import regulations shift overnight.
2. Retailers Are Rerouting Supply Chains
To avoid volatile Chinese trade routes, companies are nearshoring to Mexico, Vietnam, and other regions. Agility and redundancy are becoming must-haves.
3. Small Businesses Are Struggling
Unlike large enterprises, small business owners lack the resources to pivot quickly. Many are being forced to change their sales markets or shift to service-based models.
4. Holiday Shopping Is at Risk
The upcoming holiday season may be filled with higher prices, limited availability, and unpredictable delays. Experts suggest buying early or exploring creative alternatives like thrifting and experience gifts.
Pro Strategies for Navigating Tariff Turbulence
Manish Kapoor shared three ways companies can respond effectively:
- Improve demand forecasting to avoid overpaying on unneeded inventory
- Optimize operations to lower logistics and labor costs
- Evaluate overhead and invest in financial health to stay resilient
“If you’re financially healthy, you’ll ride the waves better.” — Manish Kapoor
Why It Matters for Global Trade and Supply Chain Professionals
With only 90 days of tariff relief on the horizon, there’s urgency to act. Companies are front-loading inventory, reevaluating vendor relationships, and updating global trade compliance strategies.
Even ports like Long Beach are seeing partial vessels and delayed shipments, underscoring the larger ripple effects across the logistics landscape.
Final Thoughts: What to Expect This Holiday Season
Will shelves be bare? Probably not. But expect higher prices, creative gifting trends, and a mad scramble for containers. As Jen Morris put it: “There’ll be product on shelves—but it won’t be cheap.”
Stay Ahead of Supply Chain Disruptions
Let’s Talk Supply Chain News delivers real-time insights and expert takes to help you react fast and plan smarter. Subscribe or follow us for the next episode where we’ll cover the latest breaking supply chain headlines.
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