Recommendations for Affected Companies
Starting August 1, 2025, extensive tariffs on goods from the European Union could take effect in the United States. While the final list is still under negotiation, the measure is expected to cover nearly all product categories- fundamentally changing the framework for transatlantic trade. Kloepfel Consulting, a specialist in procurement and supply chains, highlights the risks for global trade and provides recommendations for German companies.
“For domestic companies with customers or subsidiaries in the U.S., it’s not just competitiveness that’s at stake. Equally critical: the entire procurement, supply, and logistics planning process is coming under pressure,” explains Robert Steinbrück, logistics consultant at Kloepfel Consulting.
Unpredictable Trade Policy Meets Operational Reality
When sudden political decisions drastically change cost structures, it’s not only strategic target markets that are affected—the entire operational chain behind them is impacted: procurement, scheduling, logistics, and inventory management.
In practice, this creates major coordination challenges on both sides of the Atlantic. U.S. importers are under pressure to absorb or pass on increased import costs, while European exporters must adjust their sales forecasts and logistics processes to an unclear demand situation.
Companies with regular U.S. shipments and tight planning windows are particularly vulnerable. Price adjustments cannot be passed on indefinitely, alternatives are often lacking, and supply reliability must still be maintained.
Planning Becomes a Challenge
For procurement departments, previously stable calculation bases lose validity as tariffs are no longer announced with sufficient lead time. Political measures and U.S. trade-related decisions are currently changing more abruptly and unpredictably, making it significantly harder for internationally active companies to forecast future import costs and prepare mid-term calculations.
Typical Challenges for Companies:
- Cost calculations must be continuously updated
- Price negotiations with U.S. customers become increasingly difficult
- Contractual terms need to be regularly adjusted or renegotiated
Impact on Logistics: Tariff Rushes and Bottlenecks
The effects of tariff announcements are particularly visible in logistics. Many companies attempt to ship goods before the August 1, 2025 deadline, causing congestion at ports and in freight networks—so-called “tariff rushes” occur frequently. Afterward, volumes often stabilize, while many shipping companies try to maintain the higher freight rates—regardless of actual utilization.
These effects are global, not just limited to U.S. trade:
- Capacity is reallocated—ships are diverted from other routes, such as Asia, South America, or the Mediterranean
- Bottlenecks arise on alternative trade routes
- Ports come under increasing pressure during peak periods
“This type of market reaction throws transport chains out of sync—making reliable planning extremely difficult for companies,” says Steinbrück.
“In ocean freight, lead times and predictability are essential. When these are disrupted, air freight often remains the only short-term alternative—but at significantly higher costs,” the expert adds.
What Companies Should Do Now
Communicate transparently with U.S. customers:
- Discuss the impact of tariffs and resulting price changes openly
- Plan jointly to ensure supply and adjust volumes
Build flexibility into cost planning:
- Develop scenarios that reflect different tariff levels and durations
- Enable price-adjustment clauses in contracts
Secure supply chains:
- Check whether pre-production or interim storage is economically feasible
- Involve transport providers early to secure capacity
Monitor global impacts:
- Track developments on other trade routes that could be indirectly affected
- Reassess and communicate transport lead times regularly
Conclusion: Agility Becomes a Core Competence
The introduction of new tariffs not only changes price structures—it creates uncertainty throughout the entire supply chain. Companies that can adapt procurement and logistics processes flexibly, forecast proactively, and collaborate early with customers and partners will remain competitive even under volatile conditions.
Would you like to make your procurement and supply chain strategy more resilient? As a specialized consultancy in procurement, supply chain management, and logistics, we help you assess risks accurately, run scenarios, and develop practical solutions—with a hands-on perspective on international markets.
Questions about tariffs? Contact us!
Contact:
Kloepfel Group
Damir Berberovic
Tel.: +49 211 941 984 33 | Email: rendite@kloepfel-consulting.com