Navigating global trade shifts while building supply chain resilience

To keep up with today’s marketplace, supply chain leaders may be broadening their focus beyond cost optimization. The goal: maximize agility to help mitigate production delays, comply with regulations, and lower operating costs.

Shifting tariffs impact manufacturing considerations

Tariffs and tariff regulations are changing fast. In industries like aviation, defense, automotive and industrial manufacturing, it’s become increasingly difficult to calculate tariff costs, especially for international transactions involving intermediaries. Some leaders are now looking to powerful data-driven systems to better understand and track such complex, sprawling purchase streams. As tariffs impact products, components, and raw materials, many companies are considering shifting sourcing to locations with bilateral free trade agreements. This is particularly relevant in sectors that require advanced technology, large capital investments and a highly skilled workforce. For US manufacturers with already established US facilities, import tariffs could tip the scales in favor of bringing operations back onshore, reducing both supplier risk and financial burden.¹

Shifting regulatory frameworks

Cross-border movement of goods can set off a complex web of regulatory triggers driven by shifting trade relationships. Automotive components for example, may cross multiple international borders before final assembly, with each movement triggering new compliance requirements. Restrictions on which countries are eligible for tax credits can also influence where projects are located. Foreign Entity of Concern (FEOC) restrictions can further determine which countries may benefit from tax incentives for energy efficient, or low or zero-carbon technology, critical minerals, and solar, wind or battery components.²

Sourcing decisions can also be influenced by regulations based on the country of origin. This could be due to the different trade agreements, quality control perceptions, and import restrictions tied to the country of origin.

Government and industry collaboration

“Amid volatility, government-industry collaboration can offer tremendous benefits, limiting physical and digital friction across the value chain, strengthening enforcement, and reducing compliance costs,” says Nick Pant, principal, Deloitte Consulting LLP. New AI and machine learning-based automation processes can also benefit each party.

Further, Pant notes that, “Stakeholders around the maritime industry such as port authorities, terminal operators, importers, and manufacturers, for example, can use integrated data platforms and AI agents to analyze maritime and customs regulations against their own freight and logistics data. This can automate click-intensive processes for cost-saving opportunities, help ensure compliance with regulations, and provide additional opportunities for automation. Government agencies can use the same technology to enforce trade and revenue regulations and keep harmful or illicit goods from entering their borders while keeping goods moving into domestic supply chains.”

Global risks and export controls

“Heightened global tensions can add another layer of complication to global trade. Industries, such as aerospace and defense, that rely on a limited number of suppliers can be vulnerable to disruption from fluctuating tariffs and regulations, port closures, and rerouted shipments,” says Lindsey Berckman, principal, Deloitte Consulting LLP. “This can upend the flow of materials and rewrite access rules with little notice.”

Even more, international tensions can change export control requirements, or even national laws that restrict access to items or information.

Proactive moves for a changing trade landscape

Trade uncertainty can impact each aspect of the supply chain and associated business. Berckman suggests that companies take a phased approach to transformation, combining powerful technology with strategic business shifts. 

To prepare your business for change, and as part of a respond, refresh, reinvent approach, consider these technology updates:

• Bring specialized analytics onboard. “This is an important tipping point,” explains Jennifer Brown, principal, Deloitte Consulting LLP. “For manufacturers needing to outpace tariff increases, advanced data analysis tools are crucial.” Sophisticated global trade management solutions like Deloitte’s Supply Horizon N-tier can help manufacturers process complex duty mitigation regimes, such as duty drawbacks and foreign trade zones, reducing manual effort and lowering risk exposure.
• Maximize visibility with real-time monitoring. New supply chain platforms can help deliver end-to-end transparency, monitoring inventory levels, production progress and potential disruptions—then flagging vulnerabilities so manufacturers can respond with speed and precision.
• Level up risk assessment and scenario planning with AI. AI-driven scenario modeling and stress testing are especially helpful in managing multitiered supply networks and preparing for disruptions from new tariffs to changing trade laws. 

And while the right technology is important, building resilience against global instability goes beyond software and systems. "Taking a broad look at your global supply chain practices and opportunities can build agility into the system, both upstream at the product creation level and downstream through delivery and logistics," says Brown.

• Teamwork. Pressures on the supply chain can reverberate throughout your business. Put together cross-functional teams for regulatory surveillance and compliance, working with business leaders to stay informed and build resilience.
• Diversify your supply base. Improve communication, coordination and responsiveness by fostering collaboration with key suppliers and establishing new relationships in multiple geographic regions.
• Cultivate supply chain resilience. Create an integrated ecosystem approach, especially when working with suppliers. Collaborating more closely, sharing information and consulting on scenarios can build a high level of resilience into your supply chain.
• Develop or deepen connections with global trade specialists. “Bring in specialists with detailed knowledge of trade controls to help ensure that your scenario planning and mitigation strategies are sound,” advises Pablo LeCour, principal, Deloitte Tax LLP.

How Deloitte can help

Disruptions to trade have become more common. Companies can begin building resilience into systems and practices on many levels, including making major strategic shifts to help weather what looks to be a period of unpredictable global trade.

In the face of rising tensions and rapidly shifting regulation, organizations should respond to shifts in trade dynamics, refresh global strategies, and reinvent operating models for more resilience and agility. Deloitte’s Supply Chain Resilience Operate services can help organizations minimize time spent on data analysis, cut through the noise, and focus efforts on ongoing proactive risk mitigation. Deloitte’s worldwide teams of supply chain specialists combine experience with leading-edge technology, insights and advanced AI to help you confidently assess, prevent, and respond to risk—transforming global trade uncertainty into opportunity.

Learn more about how Deloitte can help your business navigate and thrive in today’s volatile global trade landscape 

1. Kilpatrick, Jim, Kristine Dozier, Kate Hardin, and John Morehouse, Enhancing supply chain resilience in a new era of policy, Deloitte Research Center for Energy & Industrials, April 1, 2025.

2. Fishman, Xan, Daniel Elizalde, Zahava Urecki, and Jack McGee, Unpacking the FEOC Provisions in H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, Bipartisan Policy Center, July 28, 2025.