18 WAYS to Break Through Global Supply Chain Complexity
Managing a global supply chain requires navigating ongoing disruptions, fluctuating tariffs, geopolitical tension, and more. Here are 18 tips to help cut through these obstacles. BY KAREN KROLL S upply chain disruptions, fluctuating tariff policies, and geopolitical tensions hammered many organizations over the
Act (IEEPA). They were immediately replaced by a new 10% temporary tariff on many goods under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974. SUPPLY CHAIN GROWS IN IMPORTANCE These shifts are occurring even as supply chain strategy takes on increased importance. It’s no longer just about moving goods from point A to point B. “It’s increasingly tied to customer experience and cost control,” says Josh Steinetz, chief strategy officer of Auctane. To meet these twin goals, successful shippers build flexibility into their operations. Shippers that can adjust carriers or shift fulfillment strategies, while also maintaining strong visibility across their supply chains, are better positioned to manage uncertainty and protect margins. The following steps can help global supply chain leaders navigate today’s complexities, so they’re better prepared to rein in costs, meet customer expectations, and address the concerns of their executive teams and boards of directors.
past few years. Nearly three-quarters of global trade professionals rank U.S. tariff volatility as the regulatory or customs change with the greatest impact, according to the Thomson Reuters 2026 Global Trade Report (see chart). Tariffs are not the only challenge. Export controls and the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism round out the top three challenges cited in the Thomson Reuters report. And financial or operational losses due to supply chain disruptions over the past 12 months were reported by nearly 75% of respondents to Sphera’s The 2026 Supply Chain Risk Report. Many in the industry expect the volatility and uncertainty to continue. As of early March 2026 , the U.S. tariff landscape continued to shift rapidly following a Supreme Court ruling that struck down widespread tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers
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