Welcome to this week’s Sourcing Spotlight and trust me, this one is a corker. This week’s newsletter unpacks two major shifts shaping global supply chains. First, the U.S. China tariff pause. It may be temporary, but it’s the window of opportunity many small businesses need to reassess their entire sourcing and product strategy. This isn’t just about swapping suppliers, it’s about building real resilience. From relocating high-tariff components and embracing automation to launching digital revenue streams and improving visibility with real-time tech, I’ve outlined the key moves to make now before the next wave hits. Then we turn to the U.S. Saudi deal, yes, it’s enormous, but what’s more important is the scale of supply chain realignment it signals across defence, tech, infrastructure and energy. Whether you’re based in Birmingham or Boston, this could change the game. Let’s get into the detail.
The U.S. China tariff pause might only be temporary, but it’s the wake-up call many businesses needed. With duties scaled back for now, small businesses have a rare chance to rethink their entire supply chain and product strategy before the next wave hits. But this isn’t just about swapping one supplier for another, it’s about building real resilience. In this article, I break down what to do after you’ve assessed the short-term risk with a 30-60-90(+) day strategy. From relocating high-tariff components and using automation to reduce lead times, to launching digital revenue streams and tracking your shipments with real-time tech, this is your blueprint for long-term supply chain agility. If you’re serious about staying competitive in today’s volatile trade environment, this is the phase you can’t afford to skip.
Here’s a quick snapshot of the game plan, but trust me, the detail is where the magic happens:
First 30 Days: Get your house in order. Audit your supply chain, renegotiate contracts, and pull forward critical stock while tariffs are lower.
Next 60 Days: Strengthen your core. Start supplier conversations, optimise classifications, and sharpen internal efficiencies.
Beyond 90 Days: Think bigger. Nearshore production, redesign products, digitise your supply chain, and future-proof your business model.
Sound like a lot? It is—but it’s also the difference between reacting and leading. Let’s break it down. Click here to read more.
The United States and Saudi Arabia have just inked a colossal $600 billion series of deals spanning defence, tech, energy, infrastructure, and healthcare. But it’s not just the size of the deal that matters, it’s the sheer scale of supply chain realignment that has me (and many others) paying attention. So let’s unpack what’s really going on and why it could matter for you, whether you're in Birmingham or Boston, this is a global supply chain impact. Click here for more information.
💡 Top Sourcing Tip of the Week:
Review the Bill of Materials (BOM) for your key products to understand where each component is made and how much it contributes to the overall cost. If your supplier won’t share exact costs, ask for the percentage breakdown instead. It’s a simple way to get visibility and plan smarter.
And that’s a wrap for this weeks newsletter….
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