06 Dec 2024

Tariffs and Trade Barriers: Top Threats Reshaping Global Supply Chains

A survey conducted by Descartes Systems Group reveals that rising tariffs and trade barriers are the primary concerns for global supply chain leaders. According to the 2024 Supply Chain Intelligence Report: Escalating Challenges for Global Supply Chain Leaders, 48% of respondents cited these issues as their top challenge, followed by supply chain disruptions (45%) and […]

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18 Nov 2024

US Retailers Rush Year-End Imports Amid Strike and Tariff Concerns

US retailers are accelerating their year-end import volumes, planning to bring in an additional 350,000 TEUs this November and December compared to forecasts from just a month ago. The surge aims to preempt disruptions from a potential East and Gulf Coast dockworker strike in January and significant tariff hikes proposed by President-elect Donald Trump. According […]

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14 Nov 2024

Air Cargo’s ‘Wait and See’ Stance: Navigating US Tariffs and a Promising 2025 Demand Forecast

The air cargo sector is adopting a cautious “wait and see” stance regarding the possible impact of new US tariffs and heightened regulatory scrutiny for e-commerce shipments. This sentiment was echoed during the Tiaca Air Cargo Forum, where industry leaders discussed how anticipated policy changes could reshape the market. At the forum, Tiaca’s executive director […]

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07 Nov 2024

Trump’s Trade Policies Poised to Hit E-Commerce Air Cargo Hard

The air cargo industry may face significant setbacks if the new U.S. administration, potentially led by Donald Trump, enforces stricter regulations on low-value e-commerce shipments, as industry experts anticipate. Judah Levine, head of research at Freightos, suggests that changes could come to the “de minimis” exemption, which currently allows imports valued under $800 to bypass […]

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28 Oct 2024

Air Cargo Follows the Money: Capacity Shifts Ahead of Holiday Rush

As China’s Golden Week holiday disruptions wind down, airlines are shifting more capacity to high-demand routes between Asia Pacific and North America, preparing for the busy Christmas season. According to the U.S. National Retail Federation (NRF), holiday consumer spending is projected to increase by 2.5% to 3.5% over last year, with e-commerce expected to grow […]

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08 Jan 2024

Trade policy tango continues! USTR extends Section 301

  On December 26, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) made an important announcement regarding the extension of active Section 301 China product exclusions. Originally slated to conclude on December 31, 2023, the 429 exclusions are now set to endure until May 31, 2024, as outlined in a comprehensive report by the […]

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29 Dec 2023

Trump’s Trade Storm Clouds: Prepare for More Friction if He Returns

Donald Trump’s first term as president was a seismic shift in U.S. trade policy. He launched a tariff war with China, pulled out of major trade agreements, and earned the nickname “Tariff Man.” Now, if he wins re-election, expect the ground to tremble again. Trump’s campaign documents and interviews hint at a second term filled […]

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20 Dec 2023

Canals in Chaos: Suez Attacks and Panama Drought Threaten Global Trade

  Double Trouble: Global supply chains are bracing for a potential “milder version” of the pandemic’s crisis due to disruptions at both the Suez and Panama Canals. Attacks by Houthi militants in the Red Sea have forced shipping companies to reroute vessels, adding 7-10 days to voyages and potentially doubling ocean freight prices. Meanwhile, drought-induced […]

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15 Dec 2023

Switzerland Says Sayonara to Tariffs: Cheaper Clothes, Cautious Optimism

Switzerland, known for its delicious cheese and pricey price tags, is making a bold move against its notorious high cost of living by ditching most industrial tariffs starting in January. This means 95% of imports (up from 81%) will cruise into the country duty-free, potentially translating to cheaper cars, appliances, and clothes. But wait, there’s […]

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23 Jun 2023

US lawmakers introduce bill to end tariff exemption for China e-commerce shipments

A bipartisan group of US lawmakers introduced a bill on Wednesday that would eliminate a tariff exemption that is widely used by e-commerce sellers to send orders from China to US shoppers. The exemption, known as the de minimis rule, currently exempts imports valued at $800 or less from tariffs if the items are shipped […]

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