Tariffs Are No Longer a Shock — They’re an Operating Reality

Tariffs dominated the economic and logistics conversation in 2025, and while the pace of headline-grabbing moves slowed late in the year, the pressure itself hasn’t eased. For transportation and distribution companies heading into 2026, tariffs are no longer episodic disruptions — they’re structural costs that demand a more deliberate, durable response.

That’s the focus of the latest episode of the MDM Amplify podcast, sponsored by Grant Thornton. I’m joined by three Grant Thornton specialists — Colin Wilhelm, Jonathan Eaton and Steve Wrappe to break down what tariff persistence really means for transportation and distribution leaders — and how companies can move beyond reactionary decision-making.

The conversation opens with a clear-eyed look at the tariff developments worth watching early in 2026, including ongoing geopolitical uncertainty, legal challenges that could reshape enforcement, and the risk of escalation across major trade corridors. The takeaway is clear: volatility isn’t going away, even if it looks different than it did last year.

This episode was recorded on Jan. 20, and to no surprise, a couple of the tariff news developments it mentions have already fundamentally changed in just the two days since.

From there, the discussion turns to where tariff costs actually land — and why that matters. As one panelist notes, tariffs are often absorbed by importers and customers alike, creating margin pressure that stockpiling and short-term workarounds can no longer offset.

“A lot of optionality is available for these companies, but it’s going to require a thoughtful approach — especially if tariffs are upheld and become even more pervasive.” — Jonathan Eaton of Grant Thornton

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The episode also dives into the most practical cost mitigation options available today, from duty deferral strategies and inventory placement decisions to supply chain execution changes that preserve cash flow and service levels. Rather than advocating one-size-fits-all solutions, the panel emphasizes scenario planning, optionality and reversibility — especially in an environment where permanent moves can quickly become liabilities.

Finally, the discussion zooms out to what flexibility really looks like in 2026. The consensus: staying nimble requires cross-functional coordination, better visibility and a willingness to collaborate more closely with customers and partners who are facing the same trade pressures.

For transportation and distribution leaders navigating sustained tariffs with no clear off-ramp, this episode offers both clarity and concrete guidance on what to watch, what to rethink and how to stay resilient in the year ahead.

Listen to the full episode via the audio player above, and see our entire MDM Podcast library here.

More Info

If you have questions about this podcast discussion, reach out directly to our panelists at [email protected], [email protected] and [email protected]

For more insights and updates from Grant Thornton on the regulatory and legislative changes, visit grantthornton.com/insights/dc-dispatch. And for all other distribution and transportation insights, check out gt.com/transportation to explore resources and subscribe for alerts.

Also, check out our previous three Amplify Podcasts with Grant Thornton from 2025:

• MDM Amplify: OB3’s Financial Flexibility for Distributors (Oct. 16)
• MDM Amplify: Rerouted and Resilient — How Distributors & Carriers Redesign for Disruption (July 28)
• MDM Amplify: How to Navigate the Tariff Paradigm (March 27)