Resilient by Design: Xuetong Liu Drives Supply Chain Rebuilding Amid Geopolitical Instability

Associated Press

11-08-2025

New York, United States, August 11, 2025 -- As geopolitical tensions rise and trade dynamics shift unpredictably, small U.S. importers are reengineering their supply chains. Moving beyond just-in-time logistics and single-source suppliers, they're embracing resilience through diversification, predictive analytics, and flexible logistics designed to thrive under uncertainty.
In response to years of disruption, small importers are investing in strategic redundancy and agility. Their goal: not just to survive global instability, but to emerge stronger and more competitive.
A major step has been the geographic diversification of suppliers and warehousing. Once reliant on China, importers are now turning to Vietnam, India, and Mexico. Many are also adding warehouses in North America to speed delivery and reduce long-haul transport risks.
This shift is backed by research. The 2025 article Warehouse Location Selection and Transportation Cost Control in Performance Network Optimization, published in Economics and Management Innovation. Author Xuetong Liu shows how GIS analysis and real-time traffic data help firms cut delivery time and shipping costs. Companies using AI-driven path optimization reported faster deliveries and cost savings of up to 18%.
Liu holds a Master's in Industrial Engineering Management from ASU and is APICS CSCP certified. With 10+ years at Fortune 500 firms, her work connects supply chain theory with real-world execution—especially valuable for smaller companies facing tight budgets and high stakes.
Another major trend among importers is a shift from just-in-time inventory models to hybrid models. Businesses are holding more safety stock for critical SKUs and placing inventory closer to demand. Many now rely on AI-powered forecasting tools.
In her 2025 article Enhancing Inventory Forecasting Accuracy and Optimization Using Machine Learning, published in the European Journal of Business, Economics & Management, Liu reports that machine learning reduced inventory mismatch by 27% and improved forecast accuracy by 19%. LSTM models outperformed traditional ones, with average MAPE dropping to 6.8%, and to 6.1% when factoring in weather, holidays, and promotions. These advances help companies avoid overstocks and stockouts while managing volatility.
Logistics agility has also become essential. Many small businesses are abandoning rigid transport contracts in favor of 3PLs who can adjust modes and routes dynamically. Blending ocean, air, and rail helps navigate bottlenecks and disruptions. Liu's model leverages IoT and GPS data for dynamic path planning; one approach using reinforcement learning reduced lead times by 12–15% and cut operating costs by up to 10%.
As U.S. trade policies shift, tariff and compliance management is critical. Importers are tracking tariff codes, switching origin countries, and working with customs experts. Liu notes that firms with flexible sourcing contracts and adaptive logistics strategies are more resilient to regulatory changes. Her findings show multi-origin sourcing paired with AI-assisted customs workflows can reduce tariff-related costs by up to 22%.
The message behind this body of research is clear: resilience isn't accidental, it's engineered.
In Liu's words, 'The ability to absorb disruption and still deliver is now the ultimate competitive advantage.' With the right tools, insights, and mindset, even small businesses are proving they can lead the next era of global commerce instead of just reacting to it.
Contact Info:
Name: Xuetong Liu
Email: Send Email
Organization: Xuetong Liu
Website: https://scholar.google.ca/citations?view_op=list_works&hl=en&hl=en&user=RV9ngu4AAAAJ
Release ID: 89166767
In the event of detecting errors, concerns, or irregularities in the content shared in this press release that require attention or if there is a need for a press release takedown, we kindly request that you inform us promptly by contacting [email protected] (it is important to note that this email is the authorized channel for such matters, sending multiple emails to multiple addresses does not necessarily help expedite your request). Our dedicated team will promptly address your feedback within 8 hours and take necessary actions to resolve any identified issues diligently or guide you through the removal process. Providing accurate and dependable information is our utmost priority.