So, while not tariffs… I want to do a bit about the impact, which has significantly disrupted enterprise IT budget planning. According to Stephen Minton, a program vice president at International Data Corporation, many companies are reporting that their budgets are uncertain, with a notable increase in organizations unable to finalize spending plans for the second half of the year. Minton noted that the uncertainty surrounding tariffs is already leading to spending cutbacks. The uncertainty has prompted IDC to lower its projected growth in global information technology spending for 2025 to as low as five percent, down from ten percent earlier this year. As businesses prepare for various potential tariff scenarios, including retaliatory tariffs that could escalate costs, experts emphasize the importance of flexibility in IT planning. In particular, technology prices for devices are expected to be most affected if the tariffs take effect as scheduled in July. CIOs are advised to plan for the worst while hoping for the best, as they navigate through these economic uncertainties.
And how about this coverage in Channel E2E. Due to significant layoffs and cuts initiated by the Trump administration and the Department of Government Efficiency, U.S.-based Managed Service Providers, or MSPs, are facing challenging times. These cuts are eliminating tens of thousands of federal jobs, leaving remaining staff in a state of uncertainty. Analysts from Canalys and Techaisle report that the MSP market is contracting, with 9.3% of MSP revenue being derived from government contracts. A survey by FedScoop indicates that 64% of federal IT decision-makers are already using or considering working with an MSP. Experts suggest that to survive, MSPs need to diversify their client bases and adapt to changes in the federal market, as the ongoing cuts may force many to consider layoffs. The potential for growth lies in state-level partnerships, particularly as Democratic-led states ramp up hiring and budgets to fill the gaps left by federal reductions.
Why do we care?
Just the threat of tariffs destabilizes enterprise IT budgets. IDC’s downward revision—from 10% to 5% growth in global IT spending for 2025—isn’t just a forecast tweak. It’s a red flag for vendors, MSPs, and tech investors.
Device pricing volatility is a specific concern. If tariffs hit hardware, expect SMB customers to delay device refreshes or switch to alternative brands, complicating standardization strategies.
Beyond that, note the complexity in public sector. Some MSPs may feel paralyzed by the downturn, assuming the public sector is simply “too hard” right now. That’s shortsighted. The vacuum left by federal cuts is creating opportunities in the states. The firms that pivot fastest—and most strategically—will win long-term contracts while others retreat. Of course, if it was easy, everyone would be doing it.
