In the midst of a growing supply chain crisis, suppliers are increasingly being forced to accept longer payment terms from buyers. Both sides are desperate to protect their cash, but the trend threatens to undermine the stability of suppliers, and can only serve to exacerbate the situation.

Is there any room for actual collaboration between suppliers and buyers, based on more than just price?

The vulnerability of complex global supply chains, built over decades of globalization, has been exposed by COVID-19 and geopolitical shocks.

You might think that the recent spate of supply chain disruptions would have caused a stampede of manufacturers out of China, or at least prompted them to diversify sourcing. But that hasn’t been the case.

Michael Taylor, partner for international trade with the law firm of King & Spalding LLP, discusses the major factors that are influencing the decision of American manufacturers on whether to shift production from Asia back to the U.S.

So manufacturing is coming back to the U.S. after all? Guess it depends on whom you ask.

The Trump Administration unceremoniously withdrew the U.S. from the Trans-Pacific Partnership among 12 Pacific Rim nations before the pact was even officially born. Along with it went the potential for key protections of American intellectual property rights.