This Week's Top Five Stories in Supply Chain
Liberation Day: What Trump's Tariffs Mean for Supply Chain
US President Donald Trump has announced sweeping tariffs on what has been dubbed by the White House as 'Liberation Day'.
President Trump and his administration have imposed a baseline 10% tax on US imports, with some countries set to be charged as much as 50%.
Dozens of nations will be impacted by reciprocal tariffs, reflecting what they charge the US.
Many economists say the announcement will trigger a global trade war, with trading partners expected to slap numerous retaliatory tariffs on their own imports from the US.
What's certain is that countless organisations, particularly large enterprises, will see their global supply chain severely tested over the coming months.
Holding aloft a board demonstrating his plans, Trump announced that around 60 countries would be hit by reciprocal tariffs, albeit at a discounted rate.
He regards these nations to be the "worst offenders" when it comes to historic trade policies.
Asian trading partners have been hit particularly hard. They include China (54%), Cambodia (49%), Vietnam (46%), Thailand (36%), Taiwan (32%) and Japan (24%).
Meanwhile, the European Union will feel the effects of a 20% tax. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, called the decisions taken by Trump and his administration a "major blow to the world economy".
"Uncertainty will spiral and trigger the rise of further protectionism," she added. "The consequences will be dire for millions of people around the globe."
In Two Months Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE Heads to Chicago
Launching Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE in the US this May, the event series builds on the success of its London event with its expansion into Chicago.
Marking a major milestone, the event will bring together the world’s leading supply chain and procurement leaders in co-location with Sustainability LIVE Chicago.
With one ticket providing access to all stages, Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE Chicago is designed for senior professionals in procurement, supply chain, logistics and operations (as well as those working in and have a keen interest in sustainability).
To get your tickets, click here.
Kinexions 2025: Kinaxis Unveils Databricks Partnership
Kinexions 2025 is in full swing in Austin, Texas, bringing together supply chain experts, industry leaders and innovators to explore the future of supply chain orchestration.
Running from 31 March to 2 April, the event features discussions on the latest advancements in the industry, with Tuesday's agenda featuring voices from ExxonMobil, General Motors, Accenture, Pfizer and Microsoft sharing insights.
Among the key announcements, Kinaxis has revealed a partnership with Databricks, aiming to enhance intelligent supply chain decision-making.
The collaboration seeks to integrate Kinaxis’ AI-native platform, Maestro, with Databricks’ data intelligence capabilities to improve agility, efficiency and resilience in global supply chains.
Myanmar Tragedy Exposes Fragility in Fashion Supply Chains
A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar on Friday (28 March), throwing an already vulnerable fashion supply chain into turmoil.
With factories damaged, workers displaced and production disrupted, the disaster has highlighted the precarious nature of global sourcing.
Brands that rely on Myanmar’s garment industry now face major logistical and ethical challenges, as concerns grow over both immediate relief efforts and the long-term future of manufacturing in the region.
Even before the earthquake, Myanmar’s garment industry had been plagued by allegations of labour abuses.
The Business & Human Rights Resource Centre (BHRRC) tracked 108 incidents involving 80 international fashion brands in just four months of 2024—an average of nearly one per day. Since the military coup in 2021, the total number of recorded abuse allegations has risen to 665, linked to 187 brands.
What does Europe’s High-Speed Rail Plan mean for Freight?
A proposed high-speed rail network aims to transform European transport, making cross-border journeys faster and more seamless.
Beyond passenger convenience, the system could also reshape freight and supply chains across the continent. The initiative, named Starline, is designed to integrate freight transport into its operations, allowing goods to move as quickly and efficiently as people.
If realised, this vision could reduce reliance on road freight and short-haul flights while strengthening Europe’s economic ties.
Rail freight is four times more energy-efficient than road transport, yet only 18% of goods in Europe move by rail today.
The current system is fragmented, with inconsistent rail infrastructure, border delays and a lack of high-speed freight options.
Starline proposes a solution: integrating dedicated cargo capacity into high-speed rail routes, allowing essential goods such as medical supplies, fresh produce and critical manufacturing components to travel at speeds of 300–400 km/h.
By embedding freight corridors directly into the network, Starline could dramatically improve logistics.
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