This framework is developed by a team of former McKinsey and Big 4 consultants. The presentation follows the headline-body-bumper slide format used by global consulting firms.
This product (2025 Tariffs: Macroeconomic Scenario Analysis) is a 35-slide PPT PowerPoint presentation slide deck (PPTX), which you can download immediately upon purchase.
The global economy is entering a period of persistent instability.
In 2025, tariff wars, monetary tightening, and geopolitical tensions are converging to reshape the macroeconomic environment—posing serious challenges for executives trying to chart a long-term course.
Leaders cannot control these external shocks, but they can prepare for them. The key lies in understanding how macroeconomic forces may evolve and how those shifts will influence business fundamentals—costs, demand, supply chains, and capital allocation.
This PPT presentation introduces the Macroeconomic Scenario Analysis Framework, a strategic tool designed to help leadership teams structure their thinking during the volatile times in 2025, largely driven by the US tariffs. The framework outlines 5 plausible macroeconomic scenarios that organizations must assess and plan against:
1. Productivity Acceleration (Best Case) – This is the most optimistic and ambitious scenario—but also the most difficult to achieve. It assumes coordinated policy action, renewed cooperation, and structural reform. Key drivers include a rollback of tariffs, fiscal discipline, revitalized manufacturing, and increased investment in innovation.
2. US Fiscal Reset – This scenario centers on disciplined fiscal policy and domestic rebalancing as the U.S. shifts focus from global trade integration to internal stabilization.
3. No Real Disruption – This scenario assumes that despite persistent tariff disputes and economic uncertainty, the global system absorbs the shocks without triggering major structural reforms or coordinated policy shifts.
4. Central Bank Tightening – Global geopolitical hostilities persist and inflationary pressure builds as tariffs disrupt trade flows and input costs. Central banks respond with aggressive monetary tightening to contain inflation.
5. Geopolitical Escalation (Worst Case) – This scenario represents a breakdown of global cooperation, triggered by escalating geopolitical conflict and sustained trade hostility. Economies retreat into hardened blocs, trade becomes weaponized, and global institutions lose relevance. Supply chains disintegrate under political pressure.
In addition to the scenario matrix, the deck highlights 5 leading indicators that should anchor executive attention in the months ahead. It also provides a set of recommended strategic actions to help leadership maintain control, discipline, and forward momentum.
This PowerPoint presentation on the Macroeconomic Scenario Analysis framework also includes some slide templates for you to use in your own business presentations.
This PPT slide provides an overview of the macroeconomic impacts stemming from the US government's tariffs imposed in April 2025 on Chinese and EU imports. It emphasizes how these tariffs, along with retaliatory measures, have heightened global trade tensions and introduced new uncertainties into supply chains, investment decisions, and pricing structures worldwide. The core of the slide features a circular diagram illustrating 5 key macroeconomic scenarios that could unfold in response to these shocks. These scenarios include productivity acceleration driven by innovation, US fiscal reset through fiscal tightening and debt consolidation, geopolitical escalation leading to global fragmentation, central bank tightening resulting in rising interest rates, and no real disruption with a stable baseline, but muted volatility. Each scenario is briefly described, highlighting the potential economic trajectory and policy responses.
The right side of the slide notes that the first 2 scenarios are more likely to improve trust and balance conditions supporting a thriving economy. Conversely, the third and fourth scenarios suggest stagnation, limited progress, and no restoration of trust, indicating a more subdued economic outlook. The bottom section underscores that the final scenario, which involves geopolitical escalation, could lead to a steep decline in trust and a significant imbalance in the global economy.
The introductory paragraph frames the discussion by stressing the volatility and unpredictability introduced by these tariffs, and how they disrupt supply chains and investment patterns. It also introduces McKinsey’s Macroeconomic Scenario Analysis Framework as a strategic tool for navigating this complexity, helping organizations anticipate shifts and stress-test their strategic plans across multiple plausible futures. This slide is designed to inform senior decision-makers about the potential macroeconomic pathways and the importance of scenario planning in a highly uncertain environment.
Overall, the slide offers a structured, scenario-based perspective on the economic fallout from tariff policies, providing valuable insights for strategic planning and risk management.
This PPT slide presents a framework for understanding how economies evolve under stress through 3 distinct tariff trajectories. It emphasizes that tariff paths are not static, but dynamic, reflecting broader shifts in global trade conditions and macroeconomic pressures. The framework distinguishes between 3 main paths: Erosion, Divergence, and Recovery.
The Erosion Path indicates a downward drift in trust and balance, driven by rising protectionism, weakening institutional strength, and declining investor confidence. This trajectory often results in policy reversals, geopolitical disengagement, and systemic fragility. The Divergence Path describes economies that attempt to maintain balance through self-sufficiency and resilience,, but at the cost of reduced trust and increased fragmentation. This leads to regional blocs, digital barriers, and limited cross-border flows, heightening tensions and reducing global coordination.
The Recovery Path involves economies pursuing structural reforms, governance improvements, and strategic fiscal planning to regain trust and balance. This trajectory supports sustainable growth, institutional credibility, and the re-establishment of cross-border partnerships. The slide underscores that these trajectories are fluid and signal where economies are headed next, rather than fixed categories.
The overall message is that understanding these paths can help predict future trade and economic stability. The framework is useful for executives assessing geopolitical risks, policy shifts, or planning strategic responses. It highlights that current macroeconomic stress is not static and that economies can shift between these trajectories based on policy decisions and external shocks. The slide also notes that these paths are broad patterns, not precise endpoints, and should be used as directional guides for strategic planning.
The footer indicates this analysis is part of a larger report on 2025 tariffs, emphasizing that these trajectories are relevant for understanding future trade conditions and preparing for volatility.
This PPT slide presents an optimistic scenario for the global economy driven by a rebound in cooperation and a reduction in tariffs. It emphasizes that tariffs are expected to fall significantly, below 30% by 2025, or stabilize at low levels around 10% by 2026. The scenario assumes that major economies will narrow fiscal gaps and that global institutions will gain confidence, fostering a more stable environment for trade and investment. Technology investments are projected to rise across sectors, with the U.S. focusing on strategic manufacturing and China boosting domestic consumption. Debt burdens are expected to ease as productivity and incomes grow, supporting this optimistic outlook. Additionally, global trade cooperation is anticipated to resume, reducing trade imbalances. The energy transition is also highlighted as accelerating, with cleaner, cheaper, and more reliable energy sources becoming more prevalent.
The overview underscores that this is the most ambitious and optimistic scenario, yet also the most difficult to realize. It relies on coordinated policy actions, structural reforms, and renewed international cooperation. The key drivers include a rollback of tariffs, fiscal discipline, revitalized manufacturing, and increased investment in innovation. These factors collectively aim to unlock productivity gains and restore confidence in the global system.
The potential results of this scenario are notably positive. High balance is characterized by lean, resilient supply chains, declining fiscal deficits, and inflationary pressures easing. High trust is reflected in cross-border flows of capital, goods, and data, along with investor sentiment rebounding. The scenario is mapped onto the top-right quadrant of the Macroeconomic Fitness Matrix, indicating a stable growth environment reinforced by trust.
This slide offers strategic insights for clients considering the implications of a future where international cooperation improves, tariffs decline, and global markets stabilize. It highlights the importance of preparing for a more integrated and resilient economic environment with opportunities for growth and innovation.
This PPT slide emphasizes that trade policy has shifted from purely economic considerations to a geopolitical tool. It highlights that global economic governance is now at a crossroads, torn between liberal multilateralism and nationalist protectionism. The core message is that tariffs are no longer just economic instruments, but part of a broader strategic approach. The slide categorizes tariffs into 3 main types: protective tariffs, which shield local industries from foreign competition; retaliatory tariffs, which respond to perceived trade imbalances or unfair practices; and revenue tariffs, primarily relevant for developing economies to generate fiscal income.
Additionally, the slide details other non-tariff barriers that influence trade flows. These include quotas, which limit import volumes; subsidies that support favored industries; sanctions that impose economic pressure; technical standards and licensing that create regulatory hurdles; and export controls that restrict access to critical technologies. These measures serve as strategic levers beyond traditional tariffs, shaping international trade in a more complex manner.
The overall tone suggests that global stability hinges on how major powers leverage these tools. The implications for executives are clear: trade policies are increasingly intertwined with geopolitical strategies, requiring careful navigation. Companies should anticipate that trade barriers will evolve beyond tariffs, affecting supply chains, market access, and compliance strategies. Understanding these nuanced tools can help in developing resilient, adaptable strategies aligned with shifting geopolitical priorities. This slide offers a strategic lens for assessing future trade risks and opportunities, emphasizing the importance of a comprehensive approach to global trade management.
This PPT slide emphasizes the importance for executives to monitor early indicators signaling shifts in the global economy's trajectory. It underscores that in today's volatile environment, traditional reactive planning is insufficient. Instead, leaders must proactively assess 5 key macroeconomic signals—trade policy volatility, inflation and central bank moves, consumer sentiment swings, corporate investment patterns, and capital flows. Each indicator is briefly explained: trade policy shifts involve tariff and sanction changes; inflation and monetary policy are driven by pricing pressures; consumer sentiment reflects changing spending expectations; corporate investment patterns reveal industry and regional shifts; and capital flows indicate cross-border trust and financial positioning. The slide advocates for continuous monitoring of these signals to detect early signs of economic recovery or deeper downturns. It suggests that these indicators provide early warnings, enabling leaders to adjust strategies with greater confidence and less pressure. The overall message is clear: in a complex environment, data-driven vigilance is critical for making informed decisions. The visual layout, with numbered indicators and concise descriptions, reinforces the need for a structured approach to macroeconomic assessment. The slide is designed to appeal to senior executives who need to stay ahead of rapid changes and make strategic moves based on early signals rather than delayed reactions. It positions these 5 indicators as essential tools for navigating uncertainty, emphasizing that proactive monitoring can help avoid surprises and better position organizations for future shifts.
This framework is developed by a team of former McKinsey and Big 4 consultants. The presentation follows the headline-body-bumper slide format used by global consulting firms.
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