The total direct and indirect costs of the Trump administration’s ‘reciprocal’ tariffs – which are partially paused for 90 days – could cost the Australian economy over $12 billion, says Fair Supply, as it launches a ‘world-first’ supply chain tariff calculator.
Initial modelling from the Australian tech startup reveals the worst-affected sectors would be healthcare ($1.6 billion), construction ($1.2 billion) and defence & security services ($960 million).
The Fair Supply Supply Chain Tariff Calculator was launched on 16 April, with the aim of helping businesses understand the true economic impact of global tariffs, making it easier to compare markets and choose the most cost-effective supplier based on current tariff conditions.
Measuring the cumulative economic fallout from tariffs across multiple tiers of international trade, the real-time calculator allows users to see where direct and hidden tariff costs add up, enabling them to explore alternative sourcing options.
“Our calculator captures the true cost of the tariffs that impact businesses, not just at the border but throughout the highly connected global supply chain,” said Dr. Arne Geschke, Co-Founder and Chief Data Officer at Fair Supply.
“When secondary and tertiary suppliers are hit with tariffs, the resulting cost increases ripple through international supply chains, inflating costs, distorting pricing and eroding global competitiveness.”
Commenting on the real-time nature of the calculator, Geschke said it ensures businesses can “always work with up-to-date insights that reflect current global trade dynamics,” enabling users to “respond proactively to shifting cost pressures and avoid cost blowouts or procurement disruption.”
“Tariffs will be embedded in the DNA of global supply chains, and while the focus has often been on tariffs applied at point-of-entry, the real damage is further downstream,” added Geschke.
“These indirect costs are frequently invisible to traditional monitoring and are often passed onto businesses with little control over their full supplier ecosystem. Our tool gives businesses the visibility they need to make strategic, informed decisions.”
The Fair Supply Supply Chain Tariff Calculator is currently free and accessible to the public. A premium version is set to be offered through a subscription plan, providing advanced analytics, reporting tools, integration features and ESG overlays.
