Wall Street vs Supply Chains: The Cost of Listening to Analysts, Not Operators

In this episode of the Masters of Supply Chain News Digest, John Church sits down with leading economist Walter Kemmsies to unpack the economic forces shaping global supply chains in 2025.From tariff risk and port strategy to the shifting geography of global sourcing and the rise of “platform economics,” Walter shares sharp insights from decades of advising importers, exporters, and infrastructure providers.Key topics include:- The barbell strategy: sourcing and port diversification- Why LA/Long Beach isn’t always the best answer anymore- How Wall Street’s models get it wrong—and what to do instead- The role of trade policy, population decline, and small shippers- Why agility now depends on both physical infrastructure and digital platformsWhether you’re navigating tariffs, rethinking resilience, or wondering how tech will reshape logistics—this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.Subscribe to our weekly Masters of Supply Chain News Digest, featuring active and former supply chain executives who break down a recent news event and its impact on global supply chains. Let their takeaways help you form a better opinion for your own supply chain strategy. Request to join our next invitation-only Masters of Supply Chain Roundtable, where supply chain Directors, VPs, and CSCOs share experiences and insights with each other on the latest supply chain techniques and technologies. ➡️ For our upcoming Roundtable schedule, check out www.mastersofsupplychain.com➡️ Connect with us on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/masters-of-supply-chain➡️ For members-only content: www.circle.mastersofsupplychain.comThanks for listening. Please like and share this episode with your supply chain colleagues. Leave us a comment below and suggest topics for discussion for our next episode.