Episode 87 - USMCA Uncertainty, Trade Fragmentation & the Future of Supply Chains

Global trade is shifting - and not everyone agrees on where it’s heading.

In this episode, we break down the growing uncertainty around USMCA, the rise of trade fragmentation, and what it means when the system moves away from efficiency toward resilience.

We also sit down with Will Petty, Global Head of Product Development at A.P. Moller - Maersk Trade & Customs Consulting, to understand how companies are actually responding on the ground - from navigating tariffs to rethinking supply chains and compliance.

Key topics include:

Is USMCA at risk - and what happens if it unravels
Why the US is pushing bilateral over regional trade deals
The shift from “just in time” to “just in case” supply chains
Commodity fragmentation - from copper pricing gaps to stockpiling
Why resilience comes with real economic costs (inflation, inefficiency, volatility)
How companies are adapting to tariff complexity and geopolitical disruption
The growing importance of supply chain data, traceability, and compliance
Will supply chains get shorter - or just more complicated?

With Will Petty (Maersk), we discuss:

How businesses are reacting to constant disruption
The real-world impact of tariffs and shifting trade flows
Why understanding your supply chain is now a competitive advantage
The risk - and opportunity - of shrinking supply chains

Plus:

Expat insights
Geneva kebab rankings
And the unexpected return of… mall culture