Welcome to a new episode of In Conversation, the Business Matters podcast with Richard Alvin. In this episode, we sit down with John Wegman, CEO of Customs Support Group, to discuss the complexities of international trade, the impact of AI on customs processes, and how businesses are adapting to an increasingly turbulent global supply chain.

In this episode:

• Customs Support Group’s Growth & Global Expansion:

• How Customs Support Group has rapidly expanded by acquiring over 40 companies in just two years.

• Why businesses are moving towards single customs partners rather than managing multiple brokers across different countries.

• The Impact of Brexit, COVID-19, and Global Conflicts on Trade:

• How recent global disruptions—from Brexit to supply chain crises—have increased customs complexity and trade risk.

• Why companies are now holding more inventory than ever to hedge against uncertainty.

• AI & Digital Transformation in Customs Processes:

• How AI is being used to organise unstructured customs data, reduce human errors, and accelerate clearance times.

• Why machine learning alone isn’t enough—and how AI and human intelligence work together to ensure 100% accuracy in customs declarations.

• The Impact of Political Changes on Global Trade:

• How the Labour government’s EU relationship is affecting UK importers and exporters.

• The potential consequences of Trump’s proposed trade tariffs on US and European supply chains.

• How China’s growing dominance in EV production is shifting global shipping routes and tariffs.

• The Future of Global Shipping & Trade:

• Why businesses are restructuring supply chains and increasing regional manufacturing to mitigate risks.

• Predictions for the next decade of global trade digitisation—from real-time customs clearances to AI-driven supply chain forecasting.

With supply chains more unpredictable than ever, John Wegman offers expert insights on how businesses can navigate customs, tariffs, and digital transformation in an increasingly complex world.

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share the podcast. Follo the UKs leagues business magazine Business Matters for more in-depth discussions on trade, finance, and global business trends.