From Patrick Daly, Strategic Supply Chain and Logistics Advisor Consultant:
In the latest episode of Interlinks, I was joined by Dr. Karen Wilson-Starks, President and CEO of TransLeadership, Inc., to unpack some of the most pressing issues emerging from recent U.S. policy changes. With over 30 years of experience advising values-based executives in the corporate world, Karen brought sharp insight into how these shifts are impacting leadership, business operations, and global supply chains.
From immigration crackdowns to the rollback of DEI initiatives, aggressive government downsizing, and an unpredictable trade and tariff environment, the current U.S. landscape presents both challenges and strategic considerations for international business leaders.
Immigration Policy and Labour Shortages
One of the most immediate and visible changes has been the mass deportation of immigrants, with policies disproportionately affecting people from Latin American countries.
“Many families are being split… Sometimes little children are left in the U.S. and their parents are taken away,” Karen explained. “People are snatched off the street. They don’t have an opportunity to make plans.”
Beyond the humanitarian concerns, the economic and operational consequences are significant. Many U.S. industries—from agriculture and food processing to hospitality and construction—rely on immigrant labor, often in roles that domestic workers are unwilling or unavailable to fill.
“If you don’t have the immigrants doing this work, you’re not quickly going to get American citizens in line to do it,” Karen noted. “It creates a huge void overnight, which does affect harvesting crops, which in turn can drive up food prices.”
The Rollback of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)
Another key topic we explored was the rollback of DEI initiatives. Many companies, especially those with U.S. federal contracts, are facing pressure to reframe or abandon DEI policies or risk losing business.
“There’s a narrative that DEI policies give an unfair advantage to people of color,” Karen said. “But in reality, these initiatives were introduced because of the lack of fair opportunity. Many of the people benefiting from these programs are more qualified than their white counterparts.”
She also warned of a broader historical pattern, comparing current trends to post-Reconstruction America, when progress by Black communities was systematically dismantled.
“We’ve seen this before… and now we’re seeing it again.”
Government Downsizing and Its Ripple Effects
Karen emphasized that while there is merit in eliminating inefficiency, indiscriminate downsizing of the federal workforce has had unintended consequences, including disruption to national security, aviation safety, and regulatory agencies.
“The narrative is about getting rid of waste and fraud, but the actual cuts have been across the board—including in crucial areas,” she said. “People are losing good jobs overnight, without sufficient transition support.”
Some workers deemed “non-essential” have had to be rehired—sometimes as expensive private consultants—ultimately undercutting the goal of fiscal savings.
Tariffs, Trade, and Supply Chain Uncertainty
Finally, we examined the volatile environment around U.S. tariffs and trade negotiations. With shifting policies and mixed signals from Washington, businesses are struggling to plan long-term investments.
“Retailers are offloading inventory, unsure of what tariffs might come next,” said Karen. “Whatever the final costs are, consumers will bear them—at a time when many are already struggling.”
Even negotiations with long-standing allies have been marked by inconsistency. For foreign investors, the lack of clarity presents a substantial risk.
“It’s nearly impossible to act like you’re the only country in the world,” Karen remarked. “We need to partner more reasonably with our friends around the globe.”
Navigating the Road Ahead
For global business leaders, these shifts in U.S. policy are more than domestic issues—they have deep implications for global supply chains, workforce planning, regulatory compliance, and long-term strategy.
As always, our goal at Interlinks is to explore these intersections with clarity and depth, helping leaders make informed decisions in a fast-changing world.
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