Are 2025’s New Tariffs More Disruptive to Global Electronics Than The COVID-19 Pandemic? 

New data from Supplyframe Commodity IQ, combined with findings from other industry leaders, are quickly pointing to significant disruption on the horizon for electronics manufacturers around the globe. While it’s no surprise that tariffs are disruptive to supply chains, it’s clear that we have we seen thus far could easily be the calm before the storm. 

Join us as we explore new findings from around the industry and preview new data from Commodity IQ as part of a larger Supplyframe report now available for download. 

Analyzing Tariff Impact Across the Industry 

Geopolitical challenges, tariffs, and trade policies are nothing new to global manufacturers, but the level of uncertainty in 2025 is contributing to growing signs that leaders should seek out new forms of outside-in intelligence to stay aware and agile in the face of shifting lead times, pricing, and inventory. 

According to a recent study from the Manufacturer’s Alliance and Roland Berger, 94% of respondents say that uncertainty around tariff policies is impacting their ability to make decisions. 

The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis’ Economy Policy Uncertainty Index also hit a historical high in 2025, further illustrating the nature of these trade policy shifts in the first six months of the year. In fact, if we look at the index historically, the spike in 2025 surpasses not only COVID-19, but the 9/11 attacks and even the great recession as well. 

In response to tariff uncertainty, manufacturers around the globe have been considering localization strategies and looking toward lower-risk countries like the UK or Japan, as opposed to purely lower-cost countries like China and Mexico, which are now subject to tariffs. 

Beyond pure cost and risk, tariff uncertainty is also having an impact on talent acquisition, and it’s driving further initiatives into digitalization and customization for specific markets. These are examples of the long-term effects that tariffs pose, especially when paired with this level of uncertainty. 

New Supplyframe Report Compares 2025 Tariffs to COVID-19 

To properly assess the impact and early warning signs of tariffs and shifting trade policy in 2025, Supplyframe has recently released a press release detailing our findings. In addition to this, a full report is now available for download. 

Here are some highlights: 

• 2025 thus far has shown the highest-ever readings from the Commodity IQ Lead Time Index. 
• The Index increased by 80% in December 2019 just before the pandemic, and in April 2025 it increased by 85%. 
• The Commodity IQ Inventory index dove 29 points to half of the 2020 index baseline in March 2025 
• The Price Index is set to increased 14% sequentially in Q2 of 2025 

Find out how Supplyframe is helping global manufacturers brace for tariffs and download the full report here: