15 Jul 2023

Yellen Raises China’s Hopes for Tariff Cuts, but US Politics Could Dash Them

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen’s visit to China has sparked optimism in Beijing that the Trump-era tariffs on Chinese imports could see some alleviation as she endeavors to improve relations between the two countries. However, the presence of robust anti-China sentiment within the US may pose significant obstacles to the realization of such tariff cuts. […]

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14 Jul 2023

POLB Trade Slows Down and Midyear Container Shipping Report Released

Trade activity at the Port of Long Beach (POLB) experienced a cooling trend in June as retailers worked to clear their warehouses. Last month, dockworkers and terminal operators handled a total of 597,076 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), marking a significant 28.5% decline compared to the same period in the record-setting June of 2022. Notably, imports […]

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13 Jul 2023

BCMEA and ILWU Canada Reach Tentative Agreement, Operations to Resume Shortly

The British Columbia Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) is delighted to announce that after productive negotiations, a tentative agreement for a new 4-year deal has been reached, acknowledging the valuable skills and contributions of B.C.’s waterfront workforce. While the agreement is still pending ratification by both Parties, specific details will not be disclosed at this time. […]

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12 Jul 2023

Retailers Embrace the Power of AI

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the retail industry through its seamless integration of automation, data analysis, and advanced machine learning algorithms. This powerful combination is elevating the customer experience, optimizing business performance, and significantly boosting profits for forward-thinking brands. As leading retailers have already embraced this cutting-edge technology to gain a competitive edge, analysts predict […]

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10 Jul 2023

Fashion Sustainability Faces an Uphill Battle with CEOs in the Current Economy

On July 30, there was an unexpected announcement from American firm Bolt Threads, revealing that the production of its mycelium-based leather alternative, Mylo, had come to a halt. Mylo had emerged as one of the most promising and innovative materials in the fashion industry. Notably, renowned designer Stella McCartney collaborated with Bolt Threads to test […]

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07 Jul 2023

Has the Decline in Air Cargo Rates and Volumes Reached its Lowest Point?

In the recent Baltic Exchange air cargo market update, two crucial questions were raised regarding the state of rates and volumes in the industry. Addressing the issue of demand, Bruce Chan, director and senior research analyst covering global logistics and future mobility at investment bank Stifel, presented three potential scenarios. In his bullish thesis, Chan […]

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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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16 Jun 2023

Rebounding US Warehouse Demand Could Benefit from Resolution of West Coast Port Dispute

A potential strike that could have had adverse effects on the demand for industrial warehouses in North America’s thriving commercial property sector seems to have been avoided with a tentative agreement between union dockworkers and West Coast port operators. Late Wednesday, the Pacific Maritime Association and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union announced that they […]

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15 Jun 2023

West Coast Port Labor Negotiations – Tentative Agreement Announced

Late last night, the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and the Pacific Maritime Association announced a tentative agreement on a new six-year deal. The details of the agreement were not released. The agreement must now be ratified by both parties. A copy of Acing Secretary of Labor Julie Su’s statement on the deal can be viewed […]

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