Strategy & Horizon Scannning
Strategy & Horizon Scannning
Steel and Aluminium at a Crossroads: Supply Chains, Tariff Wars, Business Impacts
TLDR 2025 reshaped steel and aluminium supply chains. U.S. tariffs, EU uncertainty, and Chinese overcapacity have all driven structural rerouting, pricing instability, and compliance pressure. Businesses elevating metals sourcing to a strategic capability – with stronger origin assurance, supplier governance, and scenario planning – typically outperform competitors in terms…
Strategy & Horizon Scannning
Introducing our new podcast series ‘Borders for the Boardroom’
"Borders for the Boardroom" is a podcast series brought to you by the team at clearBorder. In these short episodes, we introduce you to all things trade and borders providing an insight and understanding that you may not have had before. We hope that this means when you return to…
Strategy & Horizon Scannning
A fragile reset? What the US–China tariff truce means for cross-border trade strategies in 2026
In late October 2025, a diplomatic thaw between Washington and Beijing produced a narrowly scoped trade “pause” – a tactical (and temporary) easing of the headline tensions which have dominated the trade-sphere in recent months. The agreement trimmed select U.S. tariff categories (for example, halving certain fentanyl-related duties), and opened…
Strategy & Horizon Scannning
Trump’s tariffs reach the Supreme Court
Brief Overview The U.S. Supreme Court is currently hearing arguments that challenge the tariffs imposed under the IEEPA by President Trump. These duties, levied on a range of imports, have disrupted global supply chains, created uncertainty for international businesses, and raised real questions about the limits of presidential trade authority. …
Strategy & Horizon Scannning
Beyond NAFTA, and how the 2026 USMCA review could reshape North‑American supply chains
Brief Overview This article explores the upcoming 2026 review of USMCA and its implications for cross-border businesses. We outline the key mechanics of the review, potential outcomes, and the strategic considerations boardrooms and trade teams must consider. From supply chain design to investment decisions and compliance obligations, this article aims…
Strategy & Horizon Scannning
AI, trading, borders, and you: what’s next?
Opportunities, risks, and the human imperative TLDR AI is reshaping trade and border management, but not replacing human expertise. While it offers speed, insight, and efficiency, real value comes from how leaders apply it. The future of trade compliance lies in balancing human judgment with AI precision; those who combine…
Strategy & Horizon Scannning
How HMRC’s 2026 MSS overhaul changes compliance protocols – and how to keep your business ahead
TLDR HMRC’s MSS 2026 overhaul represents an opportunity for those businesses ready to act now. Free access for importers, richer datasets, and enhanced analytics allow firms to reduce risk, improve operational intelligence, and inform strategic trade decisions. Early adoption enables smoother cross-border operations and boardroom-level visibility. From March 2026, HMRC's…
Strategy & Horizon Scannning
The ongoing effects of Trump’s tariffs
TLDR Trump’s renewed tariffs in 2025 are reshaping trade costs, forcing sourcing shifts, and testing supply-chain resilience. With legal challenges pending and geopolitical risks mounting, executives face a choice: treat tariffs as an unpredictable external shock or embed them into strategy as a managed variable. Those who adapt now can…
Strategy & Horizon Scannning
What is a senior accounting officer? Strategic accountability in customs and trade
TLDR The Senior Accounting Officer function puts personal responsibility for tax and customs oversight squarely at board level. With HMRC demanding clear evidence of adequate controls, customs is no longer a hidden line item but a governance test of accountability, data quality, and risk management. Leaders who treat SAO compliance…
Strategy & Horizon Scannning
Risk mitigation in international trade: lessons from the early 2020s and the road to 2030
TLDR Global trade is expanding but volatility is accelerating. UK businesses must adapt to geopolitical fragmentation, regulatory divergence, and digital disruption. This guide provides a forward-looking view (2025–2030) of systemic trade risks and strategies, alongside a snapshot of foundational practices from the early 2020s. Global trade is growing. So is…
