Logistics Matters with DC VELOCITY
Guest: Per Hong of Kearney on Tariffs, Iran, and More; The "Pandemic Echo” Affecting Parcel Fleets; How Agentic AI Impacts Hiring
Logistics Matters with DC VELOCITY
•February 27, 2026•23 min
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Logistics Matters with DC VELOCITY•Feb 27, 2026
Why It Matters
Understanding the evolving tariff landscape and geopolitical risks is crucial for supply‑chain leaders to avoid costly disruptions and maintain competitive margins. Simultaneously, the parcel fleet insights highlight how post‑pandemic asset cycles and safety dynamics demand a shift from pure efficiency to resilient, adaptable operations.
Key Takeaways
- •New 10% tariffs layer with sector and country tools.
- •Traceability and optionality essential for multi‑instrument tariff risk.
- •Hormuz tensions force scenario modeling and supply chain resilience.
- •Parcel fleets face “pandemic echo” vehicle retirement cycle.
- •Agentic AI reshapes entry‑level hiring, demands upskilled talent.
Pulse Analysis
The Supreme Court’s decision to strike down the emergency tariffs has not eased trade pressure; instead, the administration introduced a 10 % worldwide tariff and revived Section 122, 232, and 301 tools. This creates a layered tariff regime where rates stack across sectors, countries, and time‑bound measures. Supply‑chain leaders must move beyond single‑rate assumptions, building exposure models that capture multiple instruments. Component‑level origin traceability becomes a strategic risk‑management asset, while optionality—dual sourcing, flexible routing, and contract indexing—provides the agility needed to navigate rapid policy shifts.
Escalating tensions between the United States and Iran add another volatile dimension, especially around the Strait of Hormuz, which carries up to 30 % of global LNG and 20 % of oil. Even without a physical closure, markets are already pricing higher war‑risk insurance and adjusting freight rates. Companies should embed scenario modeling—such as a 25 % Brent spike or ten‑day transit extensions—into their planning cycles. Deepening visibility into tier‑one through tier‑three suppliers uncovers structural vulnerabilities, enabling proactive actions like inventory buffers, hedging strategies, and fuel‑surcharge planning to preserve resilience.
The parcel‑delivery sector now feels a “pandemic echo,” as fleets retire the surge‑era vans bought in 2021, leading to a four‑year replacement cycle and excess idle capital. Operators are shifting focus from pure efficiency to resilience, emphasizing safety and optimal asset utilization. Meanwhile, agentic AI is reshaping workforce dynamics; more than half of supply‑chain executives expect reduced entry‑level hiring, while 86 % see a need for new talent pipelines. High‑performing firms are upskilling staff, using AI for workforce planning, and redesigning roles so humans and autonomous tools co‑create value, ensuring future competitiveness.
Episode Description
Our guest on this week's episode is Per Hong, senior partner and global lead of Kearney Foresight. By now we have all heard that the emergency tariffs placed earlier in the year were ruled illegal last week by the Supreme Court, but now we have new tariffs – and the potential of war with Iran. There is lots going on right now that could have major impacts on our supply chains. Our guest helps us to unravel it all and offers advice on how supply chain leaders should prepare for whatever is next.
Have you ever heard of a pandemic echo? Apparently that is what is happening right now within the parcel delivery fleet sector. Ben Ames helps us to understand what it means and why it is affecting parcel.
More than half (55%) of supply chain leaders expect that advancements in agentic AI systems will reduce the need to hire for entry-level positions, and 51% say the technology will drive a shift to overall workforce reductions. That’s according to a survey from business and technology insights company Gartner, released this week. We look at the numbers from this report and what they may mean for hiring in supply chain jobs going forward.
Supply Chain Xchange also offers a podcast series called Supply Chain in the Fast Lane. It is co-produced with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals. The latest series is now available on Top Threats to our Supply Chains. It covers topics including Geopolitical Risks, Economic Instability, Cybersecurity Risks, Threats to energy and electric grids; Supplier Risks, and Transportation Disruptions Go to your favorite podcast platform to subscribe and to listen to past and future episodes. The podcast is also available at www.thescxchange.com.
Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:
Kearney
Fleets adjust focus from efficiency to resilience, Geotab says
Report: Agentic AI to reduce entry-level hiring needs
Visit DC Velocity
Visit Supply Chain Xchange
Listen to CSCMP and Supply Chain Xchange's Supply Chain in the Fast Lane podcast
Send feedback about this podcast to podcast@agilebme.com
This podcast episode is sponsored by: Werner
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