Supply Chain Research

Supply Chain Edge: Tariffs normalized, memory constrained, sugar sweetened

November 14, 2025

– US import tariffs are becoming a business-as-usual matter for supply chain decision-makers. In new research this week, we analyze the overlapping nature of the US Trump administration’s various tariff actions and examine the strategic implications of positions taken by companies in the curre... Read more →

Supply Chain Edge: Rising tech tensions, Philippine focus, tariff margin math

October 17, 2025

– Trade tensions moved beyond import duties in the past week. Mainland China tightened export restrictions for rare earths, adding to measures that resulted in reduced exports of materials and magnets. The Dutch government has restricted the operations of a mainland Chinese-owned chipmaker, in... Read more →

Supply Chain Edge: Focus on Thailand, list updates tweak tariffs, August seaborne imports mixed

September 12, 2025

– Thailand is strategically positioned for reshoring in Southeast Asia, with a favorable Strategic Opportunity Index score and strong trade ties through 14 bilateral agreements, including with the US and mainland China. The export-oriented economy, where electricals and electronics make up 34.... Read more →

Supply Chain Edge: Indonesian opportunities, tariff processors, climate challenges

September 4, 2025

– We continue our series on manufacturing reshoring this week with the outlook for Indonesia, which has a large domestic market, low labor costs and policy stability but has yet to break out of its resource-led export economy. Indonesia is not the only attractive in-market, for-market manufact... Read more →

Supply Chain Edge: Reshoring’s future, chocolate’s choices and Türkiye’s wildfires

August 22, 2025

• In a new research series, we consider the future for reshoring in the wake of US tariffs and ahead of forthcoming free trade deals, starting this week with Malaysia, which was an early winner from reshoring but faces challenges both from other reshoring centers and its client markets in the ... Read more →

Supply Chain Edge: EU hits and misses, Moroccan opportunities, timing toys

July 31, 2025

– On the eve of the Trump administration’s Aug. 1 deadline for applying additional tariffs, we dig into the recently announced trade deal with the EU and examine key uncertainties for pharmaceutical and metals supply chains as well as the potential for energy purchases.
– Corporations co... Read more →

Supply Chain Edge: Japan’s deal winners; the end of inventory management; sanctions stepped up again

July 25, 2025

– A new trade deal between the US and Japan includes an exception from Section 232 tariffs on autos, generating a competitive advantage for Japanese automakers and setting the scene for further deals. The framework deal with Indonesia shows transshipment/rules-of-origin rules have yet to be na... Read more →

Supply Chain Edge: Q3 outlook has conflicting decisions; US inventories rise; dull fireworks boom

June 27, 2025

• A focus on tariffs has distracted decision-makers from other disruptive challenges in supply chains, our third-quarter supply chain outlook finds, with escalations in kinetic conflicts, natural risk and trade disputes possible.
• Tariffs will still play an important role, with rulings ... Read more →

Supply Chain Edge: Finding a home for tariffs; conflict risks return; Mexico’s reshoring future

June 20, 2025

– US import duties are not a new phenomenon for home goods firms, but new challenges and solutions abound. A deep dive into the furniture sector shows a steady long-term trend in reshoring away from mainland China and (eventually) to the US, while tactically firms are using price increases spa... Read more →

Supply Chain Edge: Tariff twilight zone, bonded warehouses, tracked rails

May 30, 2025

– The Trump administration’s flagship International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) tariffs have been blocked by the US Court of International Trade and then ordered to be left in place by the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, and now face an uncertain appeals process. In the mea... Read more →

Showing research about Materials - Chemicals