Philadelphia, PA — In 2025, the most disruptive force in the US job market isn’t AI. It’s trade policy, according to a new survey from Qlik®, a leader in data integration, data quality, analytics, and artificial intelligence (AI).
Tariffs and global trade shifts are quietly reshaping the workforce, creating new roles like Tariff Mitigation Strategist and Reshoring Program Manager, while eliminating others altogether. Among graduates in the class of 2024-25, 34% cite trade disruption as a key reason their job prospects have changed, putting tariffs on par with AI (33%). Meanwhile, 48% say jobs in their field are already being automated, and 66% have changed their career goals since January.
“Tariffs are no longer a background factor,” said Mike Capone, CEO at Qlik. “They’re reshaping hiring plans, altering supply chain strategies, and creating roles companies didn’t even know they needed six months ago. Employers are adapting quickly, but many are still operating without a clear picture of the skills available or the ones they’ll need next.”
Qlik commissioned two national surveys. One of 1,000 U.S. graduates (Class of 2024–25) and another of 1,500 business leaders. The combined results show a generational gap in awareness, and a systemic rewrite of the workforce already underway.
Grads are confident, but underprepared:
66% have already changed their career goals this year
80% of graduates say they feel more confident in their career prospects than they did in January
48% say jobs in their field are being replaced by automation
24% say roles are being eliminated entirely
While graduates express confidence, employers are quietly reshaping their organizations:
31% of companies plan to increase investment in supply chain and manufacturing despite trade volatility
Only 57% believe grads have the skills companies need today and 28% cite AI/automation literacy as a skill they’re struggling to hire
1 in 5 businesses have created entirely new job roles in response to tariffs, including:
Tariff Mitigation Strategist
Reshoring Program Manager
AI Lead
Supply Chain Resilience Analyst
While firms are investing in tools like predictive analytics (40%) and automation (50%), 39% admit their internal data is still limited or incomplete
The gap between what companies need and what graduates expect is widening. Nearly half of grads say automation is already replacing jobs in their field, and a third cite trade disruption as a reason their career plans have changed. Companies are still hiring and grads are adapting. With the right data, and the right investment in real-time insight, current disconnects become an opportunity for the workforce of tomorrow.
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Media Contact
Keith Parker
keith.parker@qlik.com
512-367-2884