Already, crops are rotting in the fields and warehouse managers are struggling to find workers. How will the push for goods made in America play out?

A port operating at 90% of capacity generates a lot of inefficiencies, with increased dwell times that can quickly create delays further down the supply chain. 

Demand-sensing is important, and is much improved by AI. But pricing and inventory modeling are important too.

High tariffs won’t guarantee a return of manufacturing to the U.S. — not until industry addresses the structural barriers that keep the country from competing with cheaper sources of production.

The USTR also has yet to provide details who would be collecting the fees, or how the money would be directed back into U.S. shipbuilding, said World Shipping Council CEO Joe Kramek.

In the rush to adjust sourcing strategies in line with current trends in international trade, the answer might be to think small.

AI agentic orchestration is one to watch, where AI agents have sufficient autonomy to execute business decisions, like a human assistant.

Until businesses gain a clearer picture of the administration's trade strategy and timeline, the cycle of uncertainty is likely to persist, keeping supply chains fragile, costs unpredictable, and decisions on hold.

The European Union is on the verge of rolling out a reporting regulation that promises to have a huge impact on businesses selling into the region.

However, analysts warn that a prolonged trade war could produce lasting macroeconomic impacts on the country.