The results from NFTC’s 2025 Supply Chain Survey are presented below.
The recently conducted survey asked companies to evaluate which phases of their supply chains have been most disrupted, how tariffs have influenced investment and workforce decisions, whether they are reconsidering expansion or product strategies, and what additional risks they face from retaliation or tariff layering. The results paint a detailed picture of rising uncertainty and the urgent need for clarity and coordination in trade policy.
Across all industry sectors, 94% of respondents reported that procurement of raw materials is the most affected part of their supply chain, a particularly concerning finding given that many key components are not readily available in the United States and building domestic capacity is a long-term effort. Almost 90% have seen impacts to manufacturing and production capacity, while 76% pointed to warehousing and aftermarket services, such as repairs.
Delayed Growth and Reduced Service Offerings
Companies are increasingly forced to delay or reduce their product and service offerings due to rising costs and sourcing challenges. The survey found that:
One frequently cited concern is the lack of domestic availability of natural resources, which many firms rely on to operate in the U.S. market. Without consistent access to affordable inputs, project delays and cost inflation are becoming commonplace.
Innovation, Investment, and Competitiveness at Risk
Respondents across industries emphasized that the cumulative burden of tariffs is now impacting their ability to innovate and remain competitive. In advanced manufacturing, 80% of companies said tariffs are threatening innovation in areas like sustainability, fuel efficiency, and safety. As compliance and sourcing challenges intensify, companies are redirecting capital away from R&D, workforce development, and long-term productivity enhancements, potentially stalling U.S. technological leadership and domestic growth.
Information & Communication Technology (ICT):
Energy Sector:
Tariffs are jeopardizing reliability in energy delivery by inflating the cost of infrastructure and delaying projects, and delayed access to infrastructure inputs is threatening reliability and increasing costs across the board.
Food & Agriculture:
Additional Challenges
The survey also highlighted the growing cost of international retaliation. Across multiple responses, up to 60% of companies said that foreign countermeasures to U.S. tariffs are weakening the global competitiveness of their goods and services. In some cases, companies are beginning to reevaluate long-term investment in the U.S. market.
A second structural concern is the complexity of layered tariffs. A majority of respondents reported that overlapping measures (such as Section 232 tariffs combined with reciprocal actions) are significantly increasing their compliance burdens. In one survey version, 60% cited a “significant impact”, while others showed up to 100% experiencing moderate to significant disruption. This “tariff stacking” creates unpredictability that stifles strategic planning and capital deployment.
While the survey results highlight significant operational disruptions, respondents also offered clear recommendations. Companies expressed strong interest in a more structured and transparent approach to tariffs, including phased implementation and predictability.
Companies also call for the U.S. government to expand trade engagement with high-priority partners such as the E.U., China, India, and key Asian manufacturing hubs. Respondents also urged pairing tariff policy with investment incentives, workforce training and collaboration mechanisms to support U.S. competitiveness.
A blog post with additional information can be found here.
