Tariff Impact on Supply Chain

How supply chains can prepare for tariffs and global trade wars

Supply chains face shifts in trade policies

As new tariffs and retaliatory tariffs grow between the U.S. and its global trading partners, uncertainty around the tariff impact on supply chain networks intensifies, along with the risk of significant impacts on supply chain costs. If risk mitigations from trade policy changes are done as ad hoc endeavors, they can emphasize organizational biases and impact long-term decision making.

Global tensions heighten: The U.S increased tariffs from 10% to 25% on $200 billion in imports from China. In response, China increased tariffs on U.S agricultural imports from 5% to 25%.
The role of supply chain leaders during this period is to become trusted advisors to the rest of the organization and lead with business continuity plans for short-term, midterm and long-term horizons.

Kamala Raman

Senior Director Analyst, Gartner Research & Advisory

Preparing your supply chain for new trade policies

While companies routinely seek to make their supply chains more competitive, very few have considered vulnerability to trade risks. The current uncertainties around tariffs offer companies that run highly agile supply chains a chance to gain a competitive advantage in the drastically changing global trade landscape. 

How to navigate tariff uncertainties.

Insights you can use

Gartner’s insights identify some of the risk management tools that supply chain leaders can use during this period of uncertainty.

Supply Chain in the Age of Trade Wars

After decades of a globalization-friendly political climate, organizations around the world are now faced with growing protectionism and an emphasis on national manufacturing policies. This global trend has found its preliminary pinnacle in the trade war between the U.S. and China.

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Build a Resilient Supply Chain Amid U.S.-China Trade War

Tariff tensions between the U.S. and China remain elevated, the result of a growing standoff involving trade, technology and defense policies. Although all industries are affected, global technology supply chains are at increased risk of fracturing.

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Define Your Risk Appetite to Create a Resilient Supply Chain

Chief procurement officers who create a comprehensive risk appetite statement will enable teams to mitigate and use risk to maximize value creation and drive business success. No risk taking equals no innovation equals loss of market share.

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New Round of U.S.-China Tariffs Puts Additional Focus on Mitigation Strategies

A growing trade dispute between the U.S. and China and a slowing global economy have created a challenging environment for global companies. This research outlines key steps companies have taken to mitigate the impact of tariffs, and precautions for supply chain leaders considering similar actions.

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Scenario Planning Can Shield Your Global Supply Chain Network

CSCOs around the world must determine how to respond to potential shifts in U.S. trade policy. This research helps CSCOs, responsible for network strategy for the Americas, to evaluate contingency scenarios while continuing with business as usual.

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Winning in the Turns: A CSCO Action Guide

While some focus only on short-term mitigation tactics, top performers defy conventional thinking by maintaining focus on long-term strategy and implementing preconceived plans when anticipated disruptions occur. Chief supply chain officers must prepare and lead through all manner of turns.

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Gartner topic experts

Gartner’s supply chain experts include more than 100 people worldwide. Meet a few of our leaders.

Kamala Raman
Senior Director Analyst,
Research & Advisory

Greg Aimi
VP, Team Manager,
Research & Advisory

Mark Atwood
Managing VP,
Research & Advisory

Simon Bailey
Senior Director Analyst,
Research & Advisory 

Miguel Cossio
Senior Principal Analyst
Research & Advisory

Paul Lord
Senior Director Analyst
Research & Advisory

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