When tariffs hit, companies face a critical choice: absorb the costs and protect market share, raise prices and risk losing customers, or scramble to find alternative suppliers. Most aren’t prepared to make that decision quickly.
About 80% of companies faced supply chain disruptions in the past year. These disruptions are happening more frequently and are harder to predict. The question isn’t whether businesses will face tariff changes or trade disruptions—it’s when, and whether they’ll be ready.
Why Traditional Supply Chain Planning No Longer Works
Uncertainty in global trade is at an all-time high. Trade wars, political tensions, and natural disasters can instantly change the cost or availability of goods. The free trade agreements that once provided stability are being rewritten.
In the past, business leaders could rely on stable rules and long-term planning. Today, they must accept that uncertainty is here to stay. The key is not to fear it, but to adapt quickly when rules change, and turn it into an opportunity.
Three Ways to Build a Resilient Supply Chain
Map risks and vulnerabilities
Businesses must have a clear picture of every step in their supply chain, from raw materials to finished products. This means knowing where risks might appear, such as a supplier in a country facing new tariffs or political unrest. By mapping out the entire process, companies can spot weak points before they become problems.
React quickly to disruptions
Speed matters. When a disruption happens, like a sudden tariff increase or a shipping delay, businesses need to quickly figure out what happened, how it affects their operations, and what they can do about it. This might mean finding a new supplier, changing shipping routes, or adjusting prices. The faster a company can respond, the less damage it will suffer.
Optimise buying, making, and selling
Companies should always be looking for better deals on materials, more efficient ways to make products, and smarter pricing strategies. This includes having backup suppliers, keeping an eye on market trends, and being ready to adjust plans as needed.
Making Fast Decisions with Data
These three approaches all depend on one thing: the ability to access and analyse information quickly. Businesses need data to make informed decisions under pressure. By collecting and analysing information across the supply chain, businesses can make better decisions. For example, they can:
- See which products are most affected by new tariffs
- Predict how changes in costs will impact profits
- Test different pricing strategies to see what works best
- Find alternative suppliers or routes if something goes wrong.
A Data Intelligence Platform pulls information from multiple sources and makes it actionable. This allows business leaders to model different scenarios, see the potential impact and act quickly.
Applying Data to Common Challenges
Companies can use data and smart technology to solve supply chain challenges in several ways:
- Profit and Cost Analysis: By mapping out where costs are rising due to tariffs, companies can decide whether to pass those costs on to customers, absorb them, or find cheaper alternatives.
- Pricing Simulations: Businesses can test how different prices will affect demand and profits, helping them find the best balance between staying competitive and making money.
- Operational Changes: If a key supplier is hit by a new tariff, companies can quickly see what other options are available, compare costs and quality, and make a switch if needed.
What Businesses need Beyond Technology
Adding a new technology platform isn’t enough. Companies need to change how they work. This means training employees to use new tools, encouraging collaboration across departments, and building relationships with suppliers and partners who can help in a crisis.
It’s also important to gather information from multiple sources, including market trends, news reports, and even social media signals. The more data a company has, the better prepared it will be for whatever comes next.
Conclusion: Embrace Change and Stay Ahead
Global trade will stay unpredictable. Tariffs, regulations, and supply disruptions aren’t going away. But by understanding their supply chains, reacting quickly to changes, and using data to make smart decisions, manufacturers and distributors can turn uncertainty into opportunity. The companies that embrace change and invest in new ways of working will be the ones that gain ground.
Decision Intelligence from 2028 onwards
Fujitsu envisions that from 2028 onwards, AI-powered ecosystems will redefine how organisations operate, with seamless workflow integration across platforms and interconnected agentic AI networks driving smarter, faster decisions.
At Fujitsu ActivateNow Southeast Asia 2025, participants experienced this future firsthand, where dynamic supply chains, autonomous operations, and workflow automation form an intelligent ecosystem.
Discover Fujitsu’s vision for the future and explore the AI Transformation Roadmap and solutions shaping the next generation of supply chains here.
