Analysts and logistics professionals say the industry’s response to the new tariffs will be much the same as it’s been since the administration began its trade war earlier this year: To develop resilient but agile supply chains.
“Tariffs have reshaped how companies approach supply chain planning and global sourcing,” Mike Short, president of global forwarding for logistics services provider C.H. Robinson said in an email Friday. “The conversation has evolved beyond a simple ‘China +1’ or ‘+2’ diversification model. What we’re seeing now is a more intentional, tiered sourcing hierarchy that prioritizes geopolitical stability, business continuity, and cost efficiency.
“We’re working closely with customers to reassess their entire supply chain architecture—from sourcing origins to downstream logistics, port selection, and even last-mile delivery. While diversification isn’t a new concept, the urgency and scale at which it’s happening is. Shippers are now laser-focused on building supply chains that are not only resilient but also agile and adaptable. This level of strategic planning is becoming the new standard.”
Gemma Thompson, senior consultant at supply chain and procurement consultancy Proxima agreed, adding that the latest round of tariffs increases cost pressures across global supply chains and reinforces the need for companies to build agility into their supply chains.
“While trends like nearshoring and ‘plus +1’ strategies were already in motion, this adds new urgency,” Thompson said in an email. “High tariffs don’t just mean increased costs, they also introduce continuity risks as businesses re-evaluate their supplier relationships. Mexico’s 90-day negotiation window may make it an even more attractive alternative, but companies must understand their full supply chain exposure before making a shift, especially upstream, where rules of origin could still trigger unexpected liabilities.”
Logistics services providers are urging shippers to work with their supply chain partners to stay ahead of pending deadlines.
“Now that tariffs are taking effect, timing is everything. We’re urging shippers to lock in production schedules, push factories to hit cargo‑ready dates, and get goods moving before higher rates cascade through the system,” according to Zeid Houssami, senior vice president and global head of freight forwarding for Uber Freight. “On Asia-U.S. trade lanes, we’re also recommending shippers consider alternate routings or consolidations to control costs. Uber Freight is working shoulder‑to‑shoulder with customers to model different tariff scenarios and execute quickly so they can stay ahead of whatever comes next.”
For some, the latest news adds clarity to the business outlook, especially coming on the heels of recently announced trade deals.
“In the short term, we’ll see shocks to established supply networks and an inflationary ripple effect across industries,” Thompson added. “The upside is that this announcement provides clarity. For procurement leaders, now is the time to act strategically—assessing risk, building flexibility and taking control of sourcing decisions.”