Solving the "Tariff Puzzle" in an era of uncertainty with data & AI-driven supply chains
Article | 2025-9-2
8 minute read
The foundation of global economic growth, free trade, is currently experiencing significant instability. As the geopolitical and economic power dynamics of major nations subtly reshape the global economic framework, businesses are increasingly compelled to robustly enhance their preparedness for "geoeconomic" risks. A critical imperative has emerged to establish Supply Chain Management (SCM) systems capable of agilely responding to evolving trade policies, particularly in navigating the escalating complexity of tariffs.
Building a resilient and agile SCM hinges on three key elements.
1. Comprehensive Supply Chain Grasp and Analysis
It is crucial to constantly monitor the intricate web of supply chains spanning various countries and regions, visualizing potential vulnerabilities and leakage points.
2. Rapid Impact Analysis and Response Acceleration in Unforeseen Circumstances
When disruptions occur, it is essential to swiftly and precisely analyze their root causes and impacts, and to identify necessary measures to minimize their effects, leading to the consideration of effective countermeasures.
3. Optimization of Procurement, Manufacturing, and Sales
This requires securing alternative suppliers that can guarantee quality, discerning optimal pricing for cost pass-through, and establishing a system to execute these decisions.
The optimal utilization of data and Artificial Intelligence (AI) is indispensable to master these three key elements. Data and AI enable the connection of siloed data, visualizing opaque structures. They eliminate the arbitrariness of human experience and intuition, providing data-driven options that prioritize objectivity. Furthermore, they facilitate the creation of a system where AI and humans can collaborate for rapid decision-making. It is through the seamless realization of these transformations that data and AI serve as the means to elevate agile and resilient supply chains into strategic assets.
Fujitsu, through "Fujitsu Data Intelligence PaaS (DI PaaS)," an offering within its Fujitsu Uvance business model, developed a new solution in July 2025 to support the construction of supply chains adaptable to the rapidly changing global trade policies. By integrating data and AI technologies, this solution comprehensively supports the enhancement of supply chain resilience and optimal decision-making through three practical approaches: "Profit and cost structure analysis," "Strategic pricing simulator," and "Operational change simulator."
The "Tariff Puzzle" in an era of uncertainty is increasingly likely to become more complex. The optimal implementation and utilization of data and AI are what will swiftly gather the necessary pieces to solve this puzzle and open up a desired future. Let's take a step forward to promptly establish a data and AI-driven supply chain, transforming the risks brought by uncertainty into opportunities for maintaining and enhancing competitive advantage.
Daisuke Suzuki
Head of Corporate Insight Dept, Marketing Strategy division, Global Marketing Unit, Fujitsu Limited
Daisuke Suzuki joined Fujitsu in March 2024, following roles at Nikkei Inc. and PwC Japan. At Nikkei Inc., he spent approximately 18 years as a staff writer and editor, covering policy at central government agencies such as the Ministry of Finance, Financial Services Agency, and Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, as well as industries including energy and startups. At PwC Japan, he led the planning, editing, and writing of Thought Leadership content as a Manager. He assumed his current position in April 2025.
Solving the "Tariff Puzzle" in an era of uncertainty with data & AI-driven supply chains
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