On the 2nd April 2025, the United States announced a new wave of import tariffs on various goods entering the country. These tariffs form part of a broader trade policy with the aim of encouraging U.S. consumers to purchase American-made goods.
The increased tariffs have created significant challenges for international exporters, including those in the United Kingdom.
Impact on UK businesses
The increased tariffs and the current delay on trade policies has created an uncertain trading environment for UK businesses. Although the tariffs were initially delayed, they officially came into effect at the end of April, catching many businesses mid-cycle in their planning and procurement processes.
To help mitigate the effects of higher costs, UK manufacturers are now reassessing their supply chains, exploring alternative markets and investing in cost-saving technologies to help strengthen their operations and remain profitable.
Global impact
The effects of the tariffs are not limited to UK businesses. Globally, supply chains have been disrupted, trade routes reconfigured, and procurement strategies overhauled.
In this environment, agility and visibility are more important than ever. Businesses need to be able to monitor their supply chains in real time, assess the financial impact of changes quickly, and make informed decisions based on accurate, up-to-date data.
How can Business Central help your business
In the face of rising export costs and shifting trade dynamics, manufacturers need more than just short-term fixes, they need technology and platforms that enable long-term resilience and adaptability in a challenging and evolving market. Tools like Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central can offer exactly that.
Business Central is a cloud-based solution that brings together finance, supply chain, sales, and operations into one unified system. It helps organisations to respond quickly to external pressures, like tariffs, by improving visibility, control, and decision-making across organisations.
With built-in tools for inventory management, demand forecasting, supplier tracking, and financial planning, Business Central enables easy reassessment of supply chains, modelling different scenarios, and making informed decisions faster. Its native connection to Microsoft tools such as Excel, Power BI, and Teams ensures that data flows seamlessly across departments, supporting real-time collaboration and insight.
Business Central also includes AI-powered features like Microsoft Copilot, which helps automate routine tasks, reduce manual errors, and surface actionable insights. This means teams can spend less time on admin and more time focusing on strategic priorities, like adapting pricing models, exploring new markets, or improving customer service.
Our expert team are well versed in supporting manufacturers to leverage this platform in the face of new economic realities. We get to know organisations and their goals to help them operate more efficiently, reduce costs, and stay competitive, no matter what the next policy shift brings.
