Archives May 2025

Global trade is facing unprecedented disruption from tariff wars and geopolitical conflicts, forcing businesses to radically rethink their supply chain strategies for survival and competitive advantage. Companies are implementing innovative approaches to build resilience against unpredictable trade policies and regional conflicts that threaten business continuity. • Diversifying supplier bases away from single regions or suppliers to reduce vulnerability to tariffs and conflict zones • Adopt…

Inflation figures in the UK have reached a concerning milestone, with the Consumer Price Index hitting 3.5% in April – the highest level in over a year. But as Tony Hines reveals, this official figure masks an even more troubling reality when examining the Retail Price Index at 4.5%, which better reflects everyday expenses by including housing costs and council tax. The distinction between these measurements isn’t just economic jargon – it represents a tangible gap between government reportin…

Ready to transform your supply chain decision-making? Tony Hines offers an exciting preview of what’s coming soon on Chain Reaction, the top-rated supply chain management podcast recognized by Feedspot. First up, we’re diving deep into the world of heuristics – those mental shortcuts we all use when making decisions under pressure. But here’s the catch: while these shortcuts can speed things up, they sometimes lead us astray in critical moments. Have you ever wondered why certain decisions i…

Send us a text Bruce Springsteen didn’t mince words when he called Trump “corrupt, incompetent, and treasonous” at his Manchester concert this week. As it turns out, The Boss might have a point when it comes to trade policy. The chaos unleashed by Trump’s tariff regime is sending shockwaves through global supply chains, and American consumers will soon feel the pain in their wallets. Walmart has confirmed what economists feared – prices will jump within a month as the layered tariff st…

Send us a text The global trade chessboard is being dramatically reshaped as nations navigate economic relationships against a backdrop of geopolitical tension and protectionist policies. This week’s Chain Reaction Pulse examines how Trump’s tariff strategies continue to send ripples through international commerce, from his desire to “protect” the US film industry with new tariffs to the surprising reduction of China tariffs from 145% to 80% ahead of talks with President Xi Jinping. We dive …

Send us a text The high cost of energy in the UK is crippling businesses including the historic Moorcroft pottery, while political decisions about transparency, tariffs, and trade have far-reaching consequences for global supply chains. • UK energy prices rank among highest globally due to marginal pricing system, limited infrastructure, environmental levies, and dependence on gas • Offshoring manufacturing doesn’t eliminate carbon emissions – it simply imports them embedded in products made…