The global economic landscape is transforming before our eyes as protectionist policies gain momentum worldwide. This episode of Chain Reaction examines how these shifts are creating both challenges and opportunities for supply chain leaders navigating increasingly complex waters.

We dive deep into the impending August 1st tariffs from the Trump administration, which include a striking 50% tariff on copper aimed at boosting domestic production. The immediate market response reveals a fascinating divergence – copper prices soaring in New York while simultaneously falling in London, creating a 25% price gap between markets as traders anticipate contracting global demand.

The Port of Los Angeles tells a revealing story of companies rushing to beat these tariffs, reporting its busiest June in 117 years with an 8% volume increase year-over-year. This front-loading creates an artificial peak season that masks a looming "inventory cliff" – businesses are currently burning through pre-tariff stock, but what happens when these buffers run dry? We explore how this dynamic will force difficult decisions about pricing, sourcing, and market strategy in coming months.

Beyond tariffs, we unpack the profound shift in regulation affecting global trade. Between 2015 and 2025, non-tariff measures like safety standards and environmental controls have surged from 53% to 72% of trade-impacting regulations. These measures create compliance burdens that disproportionately affect developing economies and drive strategic shifts toward "friendshoring" and regional supply networks. Yet this presents a fascinating paradox – evidence from the pandemic suggests that truly resilient supply chains rely on global diversification rather than localization. Could today's push for regional supply chains actually increase vulnerability?

For supply chain leaders, this environment demands new approaches: reconfiguring risk exposures, investing in real-time data capabilities, and engaging proactively with regulators. Join us as we examine these strategic imperatives and explore how forward-thinking companies are partnering with governments to shape the future of trade. Subscribe to Chain Reaction to stay informed as we continue tracking these pivotal d

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About Tony Hines and the Chain Reaction Podcast – All About Supply Chain Advantage
I have been researching and writing about supply chains for over 25 years. I wrote my first book on supply chain strategies in the early 2000s. The latest edition is published in 2024 available from Routledge, Amazon and all good book stores. Each week we have special episodes on particular topics relating to supply chains. We have a weekly news round up every Saturday at 12 noon...