Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology IPT
How the US customs debate is changing the framework for global value chains
The United States has significantly expanded its trade policy instruments and introduced new import tariffs. These affect many of its international trading partners. There is already talk of additional country-specific punitive tariffs that could also affect companies from European countries – for example, in the wake of geopolitical tensions.
Depending on political developments and the outcome of negotiations, trade between the European Union and the US could face tariffs ranging from around 15 to 40 percent. This increases the risk of gradually higher customs duties and significantly higher overall levies on imports into the US market.
For companies, this noticeably shifts the framework conditions: they must realign their value creation, procurement, and production networks to ensure delivery capability and competitiveness. Traditional supplier strategies and outsourcing models are increasingly reaching their limits – especially when individual locations, suppliers, or transport routes become bottlenecks and cost drivers.
Small and medium-sized enterprises without their own manufacturing facilities in the US are now faced with the strategic question of how to remain competitive and limit additional customs costs. What steps should be taken now to avoid losses in sales and secure market share in the long term?
Immediate assistance: New relationships and partnerships
New supplier networks and partnerships make a decisive contribution to more resilient supply chains and access to relevant markets. Especially in the case of critical components, identifying additional suppliers helps to reduce dependencies and secure delivery capability even under changed conditions. In addition, new manufacturing and industrial partners can help to build up value-added shares in a targeted manner in the intended target markets.
The Fraunhofer IPT provides you with short-term, rapid, and structured support in your search for alternative suppliers and manufacturing partners, in their systematic evaluation, in the derivation of concrete options for action, and in market studies. We analyze existing production systems and evaluate alternative value creation concepts from a technological perspective – with a view to feasibility, scalability, and industrial implementation.
In this way, we create transparency regarding risks, availability, and economic impacts, and support you in ensuring delivery capability and competitiveness. Fraunhofer USA is available to us as a local contact with local expertise.