From Tariffs to Time Machines — And The Future of Supply Chains

Hi, I’m Clint, founder of C-Sure Consulting. This week’s edition of C-Shorts explores how emerging technologies and global shifts are reshaping the future of supply chains, and what that could mean for us all...

🔄 A Quick Trump Tariff Update Tariffs are back in the headlines (not that they ever went away!). President Trump has signed an executive order to double US tariffs on steel and aluminium imports, raising them to 50%. The UK has been temporarily exempted, with current tariffs remaining at 25%, but a deal to remove them altogether still hangs in the balance.

UK trade officials are now racing against a 9th July deadline to finalise the agreement, and while there’s cautious relief within the UK steel industry, uncertainty still looms large.

Late last week a federal court struck down several of Trump’s broader tariff policies, only for a federal appeals court to put them back into effect while legal challenges continue. It’s yet another reminder of how volatile global trade dynamics can be.

As we look ahead, forecasts now suggest US economic growth could slow further in 2025, according to the OECD, another signal that the ripple effects of these political moves may be felt across supply chains worldwide.

👉 In short: even temporary exemptions don’t eliminate long-term risks. If you rely on global suppliers, now’s the time to revisit sourcing strategies and scenario planning.

☕ Past, Present, and Predicting the Future

I was chatting with my mother-in-law the other day. She’s in her 80s and still incredibly sharp, but I do think she finds today’s tech a bit bewildering sometimes... We were talking about how much the world has changed since she was a child.

She asked me what I thought might come next... what the future might look like.

I paused for a moment, thinking it through....

“I expect AI will be everywhere,” I said. “Helping us think, work, and plan. There will probably be more robots around too, helping us out by taking care of the boring, repetitive stuff so we can focus on being more thoughtful, more creative, or just enjoy life a bit more.”

I carried on....

“Did you know there are already glasses you can wear with augmented reality, which means you can get all kinds of digital information right in front of your eyes?”

She raised her eyebrows. “Oh Clint, that sounds like something out of Star Trek!”

“Exactly!” I said. “And I really wouldn’t be surprised if space travel continues to take off (sorry!), and maybe your grandchildren, or more likely your great-grandchildren, will get the chance to be space tourists one day.” Some of what I said is already happening, and some of it is just my own idea of what the future might look like. But when you’ve lived most of your life without the internet, even today’s tech can feel like science fiction.

And that conversation gave me the idea for this week’s piece...

⏩ The Supply Chain of 2035: Five Bold Predictions

So let’s zoom out. If we try to look 10 years ahead, what might the future supply chain look like?.. 1. Autonomous Deliveries

Self-driving trucks, delivery drones, and automated last-mile solutions will become the norm. We’re already seeing pilot programmes globally — it’s only a matter of time before they scale.

2. Hyper-Personalised Supply Chains

AI and machine learning will drive more tailored production and delivery. Think made-to-order items shipped within hours, customised to individual preferences, reducing waste and increasing value.

3. Predictive Everything

With real-time data and powerful predictive analytics, we’ll shift from reacting to anticipating. From demand forecasts to weather-related disruptions, supply chains will make automatic, proactive decisions.

4. Transparent by Design

Blockchain will allow full visibility from raw material to the end user. Customers and businesses alike will demand greater traceability and sustainability, and tech will make it possible.

5. Circular, Not Linear

Waste will be redefined as a resource. Future supply chains will be built with reuse and regeneration in mind — from recycling materials to refurbishing products. Circular thinking won't just be an added benefit, it will be a competitive edge. Find out more about the Circular Economy in our LinkedIn article published on 5th June, World Environment Day, here is the link

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the pace of change, but there’s something quite exciting about imagining what might come next, especially when you remember just how far we’ve already come. While the future may seem far-fetched, preparation begins now. Whether it’s geopolitical risk, cyber threats, or climate shocks, resilient supply chains are powered by imagination, innovation, and integration.

At C-Sure Consulting, we help businesses build that kind of resilience by connecting the dots between people, process, and technology. ⚠️ Try Our Cyber Attack Simulation For Free — Limited Places Still Available!

We’re currently inviting a small group of forward-thinking businesses to try our interactive Cyber Attack Simulation. It’s designed to help you test your readiness for digital supply chain disruption — and it’s completely free in exchange for some early feedback.

👉 Click here to register your interest

🤝 Let’s Keep Connected

As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts. What do you think the future holds? Will AI and robots take our jobs? Will we be 3D-printing spare parts in space?

Drop a comment or get in touch. The future is closer than you think...

I'm really keen to get your opinions on anything I've covered this week, suggestions for future topics I can zoom in on, or anything else you want to talk about — the future’s only as exciting as the people you get to explore it with.🚀 Until next time...

💡 C-Sure Shortcut of the Week

Planning for tomorrow starts with asking better questions today.

It should never feel like guesswork. With the right conversations across the business, you can turn uncertainty into insight and make better decisions, faster.