The Future of Commerce Podcast

How the U.S. paper and packaging industry can weather the tariff storm

Episode Summary

In this episode, we explore how the U.S. paper and packaging industry is navigating the disruptive impact of 2025’s sweeping global tariffs. With retaliation from major trade partners and spiking input costs, paper and packaging firms are being pushed to fundamentally rethink operations—from supplier relationships to product innovation. Backed by insights from a recent Future of Commerce article, we break down how IT is enabling smarter, faster responses to volatility—and how the industry can move from reactive to resilient.

Episode Notes

When the U.S. introduced sweeping tariffs in early 2025, the global trade ripple effects hit the paper and packaging sector hard. Input costs soared, supply chains got tangled, and market competitiveness dipped. But out of this disruption comes transformation.

Based on the Future of Commerce article, this episode dives into how paper and packaging companies are stabilizing short-term operations, adapting mid-term strategies, and investing long-term in a more resilient future. From digital supply chain modeling to intelligent pricing and inventory optimization, IT is the backbone of a smarter, stronger, and more agile industry.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

1. Immediate Stabilization Through Technology

• How supply chain risk software and AI-powered analytics uncover tariff exposure
• Using pricing engines and FP&A tools to protect margins and manage cash flow
• Building short-term resilience with inventory buffers and foreign trade zones

2. Medium-Term Strategies to Adapt and Compete

• Supplier diversification with source-to-pay and SRM platforms
• Manufacturing efficiency via MES, APM, TMS, and predictive maintenance tools
• Expanding to untapped markets using CRM and market intelligence software
• Contract renegotiation supported by CLM and CPQ applications

3. Long-Term Resilience Through Integration and Innovation

• Simulating global network redesign with digital twin supply chain tools
• Connecting ERP, SCM, CRM, and pricing systems into a unified digital core
• Prioritizing high-margin product innovation with PLM systems
• Tracking trade policy shifts with risk intelligence platforms and IRM tools

Key Takeaways:

• Tariff disruptions have exposed inefficiencies long tolerated across the paper and packaging industry
• Companies that digitize and integrate their systems gain speed, agility, and better decision-making
• Supply chain flexibility, predictive analytics, and dynamic pricing are now competitive necessities
• Resilience isn’t just about surviving the next disruption—it’s about being prepared to win during it
• Technology is the essential thread enabling transformation across all time horizons

Subscribe to our podcast for expert insights on supply chain resilience, trade policy, and manufacturing innovation. Visit The Future of Commerce for the latest research on how industries are using technology to turn disruption into competitive advantage. Share this episode with operations leaders, digital transformation teams, and anyone preparing for what’s next in global commerce.