Global IT Spending Faces Crosswinds as Tariffs Reshape Market Landscape, IDC Analysts Say

As governments impose a fresh wave of tariffs and recalibrate economic policies, the global technology market is entering a new phase of volatility. According to International Data Corporation (IDC), the resulting disruption to supply chains and investment patterns is prompting a critical reassessment of global IT spending, now projected to grow between 5% and 9%—a range that reflects mounting uncertainty across markets and industries.

In its latest State of the Market briefing, IDC analysts examines the implications of shifting trade dynamics, identify which regions and sectors may face investment slowdowns, and forecast how structural changes in supply chains will reshape the global Information and Communication Technology (ICT) ecosystem.

Stephen Minton, Group Vice President, Data & Analytics, IDC

“Consumers are likely to feel a significant pinch from these tariffs. We anticipate increased costs for popular tech like iPhones and earbuds, with potential 'collateral' price hikes for PCs due to component sourcing. Beyond price, expect supply chain disruptions leading to limited product selection and potential delays. While not immediate, long-term infrastructure investments in servers could also slow, eventually impacting service performance and new feature rollouts for consumers,” said Crawford Del Prete, president of IDC.

"The 90-day delay on tariff implementation has left the global economy mired in uncertainty, at least until the second half of 2025. We at IDC are explaining what this all means, from short-term spending forecasts to long-term supply chain transformation. Regarding IT spending forecasts, the impact of tariff uncertainty on business conditions, and overall market transformation, our updated Black Book summary indicates we’re seeing tariff uncertainty already impacting business conditions in North America, leading to a decrease in our baseline IT spending forecast,” said Stephen Minton, group vice president, Data & Analytics, IDC.

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