“Can your supply chain survive tomorrow’s political headline?”
That’s the essential question facing global businesses today.
After the Trump administration imposed a 145% tariff on Chinese imports, international trade was jolted into uncertainty. Then, on May 12, the U.S. and China struck a 90-day truce, scaling back tariffs to 30% (U.S.) and 10% (China).
But let’s be clear: this is not resolution—it’s only a pause.
The core issue is no longer tariffs alone, but the unpredictability of trade policy itself. For Korean businesses, this means it's time to stop relying on a unified global strategy and instead embrace a diversified, regionally adaptive model.
This edition of STREAMLINE distills insights from the Harvard Business Review Roundtable and the latest diplomatic developments to provide a tactical playbook for supply chain leaders navigating today's volatile reality.
❶ Point of View | What’s Changed?
Global supply chains are fragmenting fast.
The U.S. and China are decoupling. Meanwhile, Europe and ASEAN nations are strengthening ties with China. Supply networks are no longer global—they’re regional by necessity.
145% tariff → 30% tariff: A 90-day reprieve, not a solution.
The recent Geneva agreement lowered tariffs temporarily, but only for 90 days. It’s a ceasefire, not peace. Further escalation remains likely.
Policy unpredictability is the top business risk.
More than tariffs, sudden executive decisions and trade shocks are halting investment, delaying production, and freezing supply chain decisions.