Tariffs have long been a background factor in global trade, loud enough to raise concerns, but rarely loud enough to truly reshape supply chain strategy. That’s no longer the case.
Resilinc’s Special Supply Chain Report shows that 2026 will be a turning point, as tariff volatility moves from an occasional disruptor to a permanent strategic variable. Legal fights are escalating; geopolitical tensions remain elevated, and companies are entering the new year with far more questions than answers. And the data leaves little room for doubt: tariff risk is becoming one of the most important forces shaping global operations.
Tariffs are now a strategic variable, not a cost line item
According to the report, tariffs are expected to contribute nearly 1 percentage point to early-2026 inflation, a clear sign that trade policy is now directly feeding into cost structure and pricing pressure.
Global trade growth will be modest, hovering around 2.6% annually over the next five years, but the real story lies in the unevenness. Tariff rollbacks will show up only in targeted pockets, while other areas face new fees, retaliations, and compliance hurdles.
Adding to the uncertainty: Costco’s challenge to IEEPA-imposed duties is moving toward the Supreme Court. If the case succeeds, it could upend the legal basis for many of the tariffs imposed in 2025. The takeaway? Tariffs should not be looked at as temporary. They will continue to impact sourcing decisions, supplier relationships, cost modeling, and even long-term capacity planning in the future.
A global risk landscape under strain
Resilinc’s EventWatch data reveals just how fast the risk picture is shifting:
- Geopolitical alerts rose 62% in Q3 YoY
- Regulatory alerts rose 64% in Q3 YoY
- 305 combined alerts in Q3 2025 (4x more than Q3 2021)
These are not isolated incidents; they are proof that predictability is evaporating. Tariffs today are tied to far more than trade; they reflect industrial policy, national security debates, and geopolitical bargaining.
For supply chain leaders, this means 2026 won’t be defined by a single policy change but by a steady mix of overlapping pressures that reshape cost, timing, and access.
Sector impacts reveal a fragmented global market
Some industries are absorbing the pressure; others are being reshaped by it. A few standouts from the report:
Manufacturing: Nine Months of contraction
The ISM Manufacturing PMI fell to 48.2, with companies pointing to tariffs on heavy trucks, vehicles, and auto parts as major contributors. Only four industries reported growth, another sign that tariff exposure is driving prolonged strain.
Agriculture industry tariffs and tight supply
Lamb prices surged 16–30%, driven by a mix of supply constraints and tariff pressure. With over 70% of U.S. lamb consumption dependent on imports, even small tariff adjustments can create outsized swings in consumer pricing.
Semiconductors & high tech seeing strong demand and unsettled policy
South Korean semiconductor exports jumped 38.5% YoY, fueled by AI growth. Yet U.S.-bound shipments of steel, machinery, and parts slipped. Proof that tariff structures can boost one segment while choking another in the same trade lane.
Automotive: A tale of two regions
- Germany’s auto sector sentiment fell to –20.0, weighed down by policy uncertainty and rising competition from Chinese EV makers.
- South Korea’s auto exports rose 13.7% YoY, supported by clearer tariff agreements and strong demand.
The result: a global auto market moving in two different directions, shaped less by consumer demand and more by trade policy.
Front-running seen as a hidden risk that could distort 2026 demand
One of the most subtle but important insights in the report is the surge of front-running companies pulling orders forward to avoid 2025 tariff hikes. That surge now sets the stage for a likely slowdown in early 2026, followed by a later-year rebound as purchasing patterns normalize.
For supply chain teams, this means:
- Q1–Q2 demand signals may be misleading
- Inventory strategies may need recalibration
- Forecasts must account for tariff-driven distortions
Tariffs aren’t just increasing costs; they’re shifting the rhythm of supply and demand.
Why multi-tier visibility is becoming a tariff imperative
One of the strongest themes in the report is how much tariff exposure lives below the surface. Tariffs rarely hit only Tier 1 suppliers. They cascade through Tier 2 and Tier 3 networks, where visibility is often weakest.
That’s why Resilinc highlights a more intelligence-driven approach:
- Multi-Tier Mapping to uncover hidden part-site dependencies
- Tariffs Agent for modeling policy impacts
- Real-time monitoring to catch regulatory changes early
- UFLPA Agent for compliance checks to avoid detentions or blocked shipments
In short: tariff response can no longer be manual or reactive. It needs to be continuous, automated, and multi-tier.
Conclusion
Tariffs are becoming a long-term fixture in global supply chains, not a temporary policy swing to ride out. The companies that will outperform in 2026 are the ones treating tariff risk as a strategic input, not a budget nuisance. With better visibility, smarter modeling, and real-time intelligence, supply chain leaders can move from reacting to tariff shocks to anticipating them and building networks resilient enough to thrive in the volatility ahead.
Download the full special report
The full report includes deeper data, sector-by-sector analysis, and actionable guidance for manufacturers, procurement teams, and supply chain executives preparing for the tariff landscape of 2026.
