Adapting to Global Tariffs in 2025: Insights and Support for Supply Chains

Summary

Tariffs have become a key concern for businesses and the global economy, and this issue is expected to dominate discussions throughout 2025. The increase in tariff activity have created significant uncertainty and disruption across global supply chains. Businesses worldwide are grappling with the implications of these tariffs, which have disrupted supply chains, increased costs, and introduced new complexities.

As your trusted integrated logistics partner, Maersk is well-positioned to support businesses through this period with practical and flexible solutions.

This article explores:

• The current tariff landscape
• How global tariffs are affecting logistics and supply chains
• Strategic guidance and solutions to help you adapt
• Why a customer-centric approach is essential during periods of change

Understanding the current tariff landscape

The increase in tariff activity has created significant disruption across global supply chains. While the situation continues to evolve, the immediate impact is clear: businesses are challenged by the uncertainty, and supply chains are facing new layers of complexity.

Despite this uncertainty, Lars Karlsson highlights the resilience and adaptability of trade in the face of changing regulations and tariffs. As the Global Head of Trade and Customs Consulting at Maersk, Karlsson dedicates his days to global trade issues.

“Trade, like water, will find a way,” declared Karlsson during a recent interview for Maersk’s Beyond the Box podcast where he discussed the changing regulations and tariffs. “This is not something that will go away,” Karlsson said. “It is better being ready now and not to wait for solutions that will come later. Companies need to invest in this, talk to the right partners, and they need to have the networks to make it happen.”

Karlsson also advocates for a proactive and agile approach to finding solutions anchored in strong partnerships. “Look at partnerships and the networks you have, including internally, to make sure you meet the requirements of today and tomorrow – not just the requirements of yesterday,” Karlsson stated. “Stay agile, stay with your partners, and make sure you have access to the data you need. Look for solutions that can serve you in multiple markets and for multiple risks and regulations. What you need is one-stop-shop solution that is configurable for your situation, that provides risk screening upstream as early as possible to detect and avoid risk that can be costly from a trade compliance perspective, a solution that can adopt to uncertain times and fast changing requirements”.

Janet Labuda, Head of Customs and Trade Issues at Maersk Customs Services in North America, echoed this point. “When we have changes to the regulatory or the tariff landscape, it is critical that your broker keeps up with all these changes and works with partners,” she said. “It is a force multiplier that companies need.”

As an integrated logistics provider with a global assets network, Maersk is positioned to be a key partner and force multiplier through this period and beyond.

Identifying the impact of global tariffs

The latest news in global trade has introduced significantly more uncertainty to 2025 than was expected at the start of the year. Recent conversations between Maersk and businesses have shed light on several shared concerns. Since the start of 2025, the North America Trade Services team has seen an almost 1000% increase in the number of inquiries from clients. This highlights the complexity of the environment that businesses are now having to navigate.

Not surprisingly, many businesses are worried about the increased costs due to tariffs and the resulting delays in their supply chains. For example, the 25% tariffs on auto parts from Canada and Mexico are affecting production timelines and pricing. In response, some companies are shifting their sourcing to other countries to mitigate these costs.

There is also growing interest in Free Trade Zone (FTZ) storage options at both origin and destination points to manage inventory and defer tariffs. The primary users of FTZs in the past have been consumer goods and retail, automotive, aerospace, and electronics.

Conversations with businesses also highlighted a heightened need for customs compliance guidance to navigate the new tariff landscape effectively.

“Partners with solutions for multi-regulations, multi-markets, and with the ability to configure to the production and sales pattern of a company – from the journey through the market to the end consumer will be important during this time,” explained Karlsson. Supply chain visibility, customs compliance excellence, and utilising available data all comes down to having the right partners.

Maersk is working to address these concerns and ensure businesses can go all the way, despite the uncertainty in the current climate.

Strategic guidance, support, and solutions

In response to these challenges, businesses are not just seeking transportation solutions but also strategic guidance. They are also keen to understand what their peers are doing, signalling a need for benchmarking and shared best practices to navigate the complexities of the current tariff landscape effectively.

Christine Miner, Head of Growth Enablement & Solution Engineering, North America Lead Logistics, shared her perspective on how Maersk is supporting customers through the current situation. Her team works closely with customers to identify pain points in their supply chains and develop solutions that enhance supply chain performance.

“As a partner, we are focused on proactively offering solutions that give the customer agility during this tariff volatility.  Maersk has an incredible suite of products that not only move our customers cargo, but we also offer services that bring supply chain management oversight, visibility to supply chain performance, and our teams become an extension of our customer’s supply chain organisation.”

While customers are reacting daily, Maersk has global teams ready to support customers in various time zones. Miner explained these teams have the expertise to follow through on operational needs, giving the customer time back in their day to focus on the next action they need to plan for.

“One of the additional ways Maersk can support customers is with our Supply Chain Resilience Model service. This service helps customers better understand the impact of emerging risks (e.g. different tariff measure scenarios) so they can prepare before it becomes reality. This service provides a data-based approach to understand what the potential impact is and then pre-identify the mitigation actions they want to take, which in the end will help to accelerate their reaction response time,” she said.

She explained that Maersk assists customers in slowing down or pausing their supply chains through depot services, warehouse services, or flex hub offers, where cargo can be stored in one of eight hub ports. Additionally, Maersk helps customers divert cargo to different modes to expedite their supply chains when needed. This comprehensive support helps customers maintain their market advantage through optimal supply chain performance.

Ranole Beng, Maersk Regional Head of Market Transpacific (North America-Asia Pacific), added that Maersk is adapting to these market shifts by maintaining weekly service coverage and avoiding blank sailings.

“Our Maersk values enable us to continue to provide partnership with our customers, understanding their concerns and needs, collaborating across the organisation to provide alternative solutions, and helping to remove uncertainty and confusion,” Beng said.

Beng advised customers to actively engage with their supply chains to understand the potential impact of tariffs and stay informed about the services and products Maersk offers to remain agile.

Solutions offerings

Maersk offers a range of solutions designed to help you navigate the complexities of the current tariff environment and maintain supply chain continuity:

• Storage Options (Origin and Destination): To address the storage challenges, Maersk offers flexible storage solutions at both origin and destination points. These options help customers manage their inventory more effectively and defer tariff payments until the goods are ready to enter the market.
• Freetime Extension: With Freetime Extension, you can add extra freetime to your shipment journey at the start of the booking, after placing a booking or even after your cargo's journey has begun. This gives you full flexibility and control, which makes it easier to adapt to unexpected changes in the global logistics landscape.
• Maersk Flex Route: Maersk Flex Route lets you adjust your cargo's destination while your shipment is in transit, which lets you accommodate last-minute changes effortlessly without extra costs. It also maximizes cargo value by delivering to the right place, at the right time. This flexibility is crucial in responding to sudden changes in tariff regulations or market conditions.
• LCL for Smaller, Tariff-Sensitive Shipments: For smaller shipments that are particularly sensitive to tariff changes, Maersk provides Less-than-Container Load (LCL) services. This option allows customers to consolidate their shipments with others, reducing costs and mitigating tariff impacts.
• Customs Consulting: Navigating the new tariff landscape requires expert guidance. Maersk's customs consulting services offer comprehensive support to ensure compliance and optimise customs processes. Our experts can help with tariff impact analysis, customs compliance planning, and supply chain risk reviews.
• Air Freight for Time-Sensitive Moves: For time-sensitive shipments, Maersk's air freight services provide a fast and reliable solution. This option is ideal for urgent deliveries that cannot afford delays due to tariff-related disruptions.

Meeting the moment with a customer-first approach

The current global tariff landscape is complex. However, with Maersk's comprehensive range of solutions, customers can navigate these complexities effectively with the help of a trusted partner. From storage options and extra freetime to diversion services and customs consulting, Maersk is committed to supporting our customers through this period of uncertainty and beyond.

The future will always surprise us — but it doesn’t have to paralyse us. With the right strategy, businesses can act with clarity, not fear.

Be ready to thrive amid rising uncertainty to go all the way! For more information on how Maersk can support your business during this time, visit the Maersk global tariffs page to track the latest updates impacting supply chains.