Flexport founder & CEO Ryan Petersen on Al, tariffs, India & the state of global trade

In this exclusive interview, Ryan Petersen, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Flexport, speaks with Reji John and Libin Chacko Kurian about the forces reshaping global trade and logistics, from tariffs and geopolitics to AI, data, and supply chain resilience.

Petersen explains why AI will fundamentally change how supply chains are run, how tariffs are driving unprecedented volatility in freight markets, and why Flexport is now going harder on India with expanded operations and engineering investment. He also shares Flexport’s long-term vision, plans for a potential IPO in the next five years, and what it really takes to build an operating system for global trade.

This conversation offers rare, unfiltered insights from one of the most influential founders in modern logistics — essential viewing for supply chain leaders, logistics professionals, and anyone tracking the future of global commerce.