In 2025, global trade is forecasted to grow by 3.2 per cent, a slightly more modest rate of growth from 2024 when trade grew by 3.4%. Yet, headwinds abound in international commerce. A new U.S. administration in the White House is putting forward a protectionist agenda that could tangibly affect the entire world. Wars continue to rage in the Middle East and Ukraine, and social upheaval in various parts of the world will create instability in key markets. Collectively, these issues and challenges are referred to as “trade disruption”.

In reality, however, it isn’t so much trade that’s being disrupted, but global commerce and business operations. Each barrier to trade, be it a tariff or non-tariff barrier, ultimately requires an enterprise to shift how it operates. That could mean sourcing from a new place of origin; working with new suppliers; investigating and/or changing trade routes; renegotiating contracts with transport providers; and changing production and operational processes. In short, change is afoot.

Beyond the call of duties

Discussion over tariffs have led to consternation amongst business decision makers, but trade protectionism can go well beyond the imposition of tariffs. It could mean sanctions, quotas, greater scrutiny of products’ origin/destination and the material inputs of those products. While barriers to trade have declined since the pandemic, they are still at historically high levels without any sign of dissipating.

Traders’ burden to bear

British enterprises have already witnessed significant change in customs processes and requirements. Customs declarations have  soared  17% in just two years – from 78,3 million in 2021 to 91.3 million in 2023. Complexities in the Trade and Cooperation Agreement with the EU present new challenges in document compilation, and the EU’s (and soon to be UK’s) new Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is making the administrative prohibitively heavy.

Lighten the load and reduce risk

Approximately 30,000 businesses globally look to Livingston International to ensure their supply chains remain fluid. Through our attention to detail in facilitating customs declarations and post-entry filings, to our unparalleled breadth and depth of expertise in global trade compliance, regulatory affairs and trade law, our proprietary technologies to help automate and streamline cumbersome processes, and our relationships with carriers to assist in moving goods, we are here to simplify and clarify.

We help British businesses identify cost-saving opportunities within their supply chains, pre-empt supply disruption, mitigate regulatory and customs risk, optimize cashflow, automate time-consuming and specialized processes and move goods across border.

To learn more about how we can help your business navigate and weather the challenges ahead, visit https://www.livingston.com/UK ,  email europe@livingstonintl.com or call 0800 169 2930.