How non-tariff measures are quietly redrawing supply chains

In the second episode of the Strategic Gears Podcast, host Omar Jazaeri sat down with Farhan Ahmed – a partner at the firm – to discuss non-tariff measures, exploring their mechanics and impact, and how organisations in the region can navigate these measures to maintain a competitive advantage.

Launched last month, the Strategic Gears Podcast offers perspectives on major strategic, economic, and societal topics, inviting leaders in the field with the aim of breaking complex issues into real-world insights.

Following the inaugural edition, which focused on AI transformation, the second episode welcomed Farhan Ahmed to unpack non-tariff measures (NTMs) – including standards, documentation, inspections, and trade remedies – and how they quietly reprice goods, reroute supply chains, and reshape product roadmaps across the Gulf region and worldwide.

During the 20-minute podcast, Ahmed walks through what non-tariff measures are and why they matter now – with particular focus on the backdrop that has seen such measures increasingly applied by state actors, including the United States. He also explains the impact on organisations in areas such as documentation and permits, and what can be done to speed up processes.

Additionally, Ahmed provides practical advice on how leaders can turn shifts in non-tariff measures into a competitive advantage rather than a source of disruption, by strengthening operating discipline, mitigating risks, and developing forward-looking insights into the supply chain.

For more details and insights, watch the full episode with Farhan Ahmed:

Strategic Gears is a leading management consulting firm with over 250+ consultants and staff operating from five offices across the Middle East and Europe.