The Rise of “Friendshoring”: How Global Trade Is Being Redrawn
PHOTO BY GERALT ON PIXABAY
Global trade isn’t just about efficiency anymore—it’s about alliances. As tensions rise between major powers, countries are rethinking who they trade with and why.
Enter “friendshoring,” a strategy that favors partners with shared values and stable ties. It’s reshaping supply chains and redrawing the global trade map—one friendly border at a time.
What Is Friendshoring, And Why Now?
Friendshoring means moving supply chains to countries with shared values and economic stability. It’s gaining traction as firms seek resilience after global shocks like the pandemic and the war in Ukraine.
In the following tweet, RSM analyst Ryan Farlow emphasizes friendshoring’s role in navigating today’s trade risks:
His article outlines how manufacturers are shifting operations to U.S.-friendly nations to avoid disruptions, manage tariffs, and improve cost stability—making friendshoring a key strategy in today’s uncertain global trade landscape.
New Trade Alliances Are Taking Shape
Countries are redrawing trade maps to reduce risk and deepen ties with trusted partners. The U.S. is strengthening alliances in the Indo-Pacific, aiming to shift supply chains away from China. This marks a major pivot in global trade strategy.
The following tweet shares insights from a new paper on the evolution and challenges of the U.S. friendshoring policy:
The paper explores how this strategy is unfolding in key Indo-Pacific nations.
It also highlights regional responses, strategic goals, and the broader impact on trade. As alliances shift, friendshoring is reshaping who trades with whom—and why trust now rivals cost.
Winners, Losers, And What’s Next
Friendshoring is creating clear winners and losers in the global trade arena. Countries with stable governments and close ties to major economies are attracting investment, while others risk being left behind.
In the video below, the shifting dynamics of trade are explored in depth:
It breaks down how industries and nations are being reshaped by new alliances and strategies like friendshoring.
As companies seek security over savings, global trade is becoming more politically driven. Cost is no longer the only priority.