In this article, Professor Sheffi explores how the new administration’s tariff-driven trade disruptions mirror the uncertainty and economic strain of the Covid-19 pandemic, highlighting shared impacts such as reduced international trade, disrupted supply chains, and cautious business investment. While companies are drawing on their pandemic playbooks to navigate this crisis, the article emphasizes key differences, most notably, the lack of global cooperation and the politically motivated nature of current trade policies. Unlike the collaborative vaccine efforts during the pandemic, today’s tariff strategies reflect a confrontational approach that risks alienating allies, weakening U.S. soft power, and discouraging foreign investment. As the global economic landscape shifts, the long-term consequences of these policies may prove even more far-reaching than those of the pandemic.
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Professor Yossi Sheffi named #1 Supply Chain Influencer
Meet the #1 Supply Chain Influencer. Supply chain influencers are key figures in the modern industry, shaping the future of logistics and operations management. These experts – often seasoned professionals and consultants – provide crucial insights into tackling challenges like sustainability, digitalization, and resilience.
Latest Book
THE MAGIC CONVEYOR BELT: Supply Chains, A.I. and the Future of Work
The latest book by MIT Professor Yossi Sheffi on global supply chains is an exploration of one of the most critical and complex systems of our modern economy. In The Magic Conveyor Belt, Professor Sheffi examines how supply chains have been affected by the societal and economic shocks of the early 2020s, demystifying their murky depths, twists, and turns. He also illustrates how supply chains actually worked well during the pandemic, why technology alone is not enough (despite being the key to sustainability), and how human and A.I. collaboration is the future.
Latest Blog
What Can the Pandemic Teach Us About Managing Today’s Trade War?
