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The new EU—US deal, concluded in July 2025, marks a break with the recent past. Import tariffs of up to fifteen percent, and up to fifty percent on steel and aluminum, displace the conventional export dynamic. The Netherlands, deeply rooted in, for example, the port area, the manufacturing industry and agriculture, is feeling the pressure. For many companies, this is no longer a bump, but a structural challenge.
You ship the same products, but the margin is dwindling. The American customer is counting on prices that former European producers simply cannot cope with thanks to the new tariffs. Supply chains that seemed smooth are now faltering due to delays. Order processes are moving up. The question doesn't change, but what you receive per shipment does. And that has an impact.
Companies that receive their raw materials weeks or even months late are losing traction. Excel and separate ERP tables have become unreachable, soft tools. What's needed: real-time insight into inventory, production speeds and margin leaks. Once you know that, you can act. Automated inventory management prevents unnecessary pressure. Software planting corrects immediately when a line stops. Self-learning forecasting models show opportunities and risks, not because it's beautiful, but because it saves profits.
We notice three types of reactions among exporters. Some retreat from the US market. Too expensive and unpredictable. Others keep delivering, but missing the data to make smart choices. They stick to old patterns. The third group is digitizing. For example, Uber Freight uses AI to cleverly combine loads and minimize empty trips. Thanks to machine learning, empty kilometers have been reduced by 10— 15%. This leads directly to a reduction in operational costs, fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions, with a financial advantage for both carriers and customers. EC research see that AI‑driven planning and precision farming lead to a significant profit improvement effect, through better prediction of harvest times, cost optimization and risk prevention. Companies that adopt these tools have a structural advantage in peak export periods. These kinds of innovations in efficiency and savings make the difference between acting reactively and anticipating.
These rates are not a temporary measure. The current agreements apply for at least 3 years and after that, there is no prospect of this being reversed any time soon. They reflect a fundamental shift in global trade, where geopolitics and economic self-protection become more dominant. For many companies, waiting until the rules become clear is no longer an option. That's what insight, grip and agility are. It's not about larger teams, it's about smart tools. Not to add people, but to leave tasks to technology.
Quickly clarify where your margin is leaking. Check your processes for inefficiencies. Identify hidden costs. Start small experiments with real-time planning, AI forecasting, and automated inventory management. Short iterations, immediate impact. Think in terms of scenarios: what if rates continue to rise? Or if the US customer substitutes with Asia? What can you do to provide a timely response? These questions lead to a strategic course that has immediate value.
The EU—US deal puts pressure on exporters. Margins are shrinking. Competition is shifting. But those who now invest in digitization, smart and saving AI solutions using data do not have to shrink. Then growth is possible. Not with big plans, but with small, smart steps. Not by doing more, but by being more focused. Growth is almost never a coincidence.
Do you want to discuss digital quick wins with the help of data and AI in a sector-specific way? Or discover where your first impact is within 90 days? Blackbirds knows this playing field. No hype, but a realistic plan that fits your business dynamic.
Let me know. We are happy to think along.
