Force 1: Tech Rivalry Is the New Normal
Assume persistent export controls and screening regimes. Bake compliance into sourcing and BOM design.
Force 2: Carbon as Market Access
CBAM-style mechanisms expand. Product-level emissions become part number attributes, not footnotes.
Force 3: Regional Powerhouses
RCEP, AfCFTA, and USMCA concentrate demand and simplify rules within blocs. Design footprints accordingly.
2026 Operator Checklist
- Run a geopolitical risk audit across Tier-1/2 suppliers.
- Implement carbon accounting at SKU level with supplier attestations.
- Build region-specific go-to-market and compliance playbooks.
Remova helps teams harden privacy across supplier/customer relationships so expansion strategies don't leak through public trade data. Explore protection plans to safeguard competitive advantage in 2026.