Leading Through the Storm: How to Navigate Trump’s Trade War 2.0

Here we are again.

With President Trump back in office and already escalating trade wars—targeting China, Mexico, the EU, and beyond—we’re seeing déjà vu in real-time. Tariffs are rising, supply chains are rerouting under pressure, and global companies are bracing for another round of unpredictable, politically driven disruption.

But unlike the last time, we’ve had a dress rehearsal. And if there’s one thing my decades of experience have taught me, it’s this: turbulence is inevitable, but chaos is optional—if you’re prepared.

1. Visibility First, Always

When trade flows shift suddenly, you can’t afford blind spots. In the 2018–2020 trade war, the most successful leaders I worked with didn’t wait for the disruption to hit them. They were tracking lead times, tariffs, supplier dependencies, and geopolitical risks in real time—and adjusting dynamically.

Today, companies using platforms like Orkestra have that 24/7 visibility built in. Our partners—including global brands like Shell, P&G, and Bridgestone—don’t just see what’s happening. They know what to do next.

2. Decouple, Diversify, De-Risk

Trump’s current strategy is putting extreme pressure on Chinese-origin goods and nearshoring routes. Companies are now racing to diversify sourcing across Southeast Asia, Latin America, and Eastern Europe. But diversification is more than geography—it’s about creating multi-modal, multi-node networks that can absorb shocks and keep your service levels intact.

We’ve already helped multiple customers shift significant trade volume from high-risk lanes while maintaining cost and carbon efficiency. It’s possible. You just need the right data and a partner who understands orchestration.

3. Act, Don’t Just React

The worst mistake I saw during the first trade war? Waiting. Waiting to see what happens. Waiting for exemptions. Waiting until it was too late. The companies that came out ahead were the ones who acted early, made bold changes, and put systems in place to adapt continuously—not just once.

The Bottom Line

This next wave of trade turmoil won’t be brief—and it won’t be easy. But it’s also not unmanageable. If you invest in visibility, build resilient networks, and act with intent, you can not only weather this disruption—you can turn it into a competitive edge.

To dive deeper, I invite you to join our upcoming executive webinar: “What’s Working Now: Real Tactics for Supply Chain Shocks.” I’ll be joined by leading voices from global supply chains to share what’s delivering results in this volatile moment—from rerouting playbooks to new collaboration models.

👉 Reserve your seat now for the live session on Thursday, April 17 - Sign up here

Let’s stop chasing disruption—and start orchestrating around it.

– Heiner