The Port of Oakland, a critical gateway for U.S.-Asia trade, is experiencing significant shifts in cargo volumes due to evolving tariffs and trade policies. These changes are altering shipping patterns, prompting companies to reevaluate supply chain strategies and port utilization. Recent tariff adjustments have increased costs for certain imports, influencing the volume of goods moving through Oakland. As carriers adjust routes to optimize profitability, shippers … Read More
China’s growth slows as Trump tariff war and property slump bite
China’s growth trajectory has weakened as two powerful forces converge: an intensified tariff campaign from the United States and the ongoing drag from a troubled property market. Together, these factors are reducing domestic consumption, slowing investment, and altering patterns of global trade, with real consequences for shipping volumes, routing decisions, and inventory strategies worldwide. For supply-chain and logistics leaders, the shift is practical, not theoretical. … Read More
U.S.–Colombia Relations at Risk: Trump Threatens New Tariffs
In a sudden escalation that rippled through global trade headlines, President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. would end aid to Colombia and impose new tariffs on Colombian exports. The announcement followed public accusations that Colombian President Gustavo Petro had failed to curb drug production, a claim Petro strongly rejected as “an attack on national sovereignty.” What might appear to be a diplomatic dispute is … Read More
US Plans 100% Tariffs On China And How Beijing Is Responding
President Trump said the U.S. will impose an additional 100% tariff on all imports from China, citing a “mineral trade dispute” after Beijing tightened controls on rare-earth exports. In his announcement, he indicated the move could begin “November 1st, 2025 (or sooner, depending on any further actions…)”, a signal to importers that policy risk is now immediate, not theoretical. Other major outlets report the same … Read More
Compliance Alert: India Imports Now Face 50% Tariffs
On August 27, 2025, at 12:01 a.m. EDT, a new trade measure from the White House takes effect: imports from India will now face a total tariff of 50% when entering the United States. This includes: An additional 25% tariff announced on August 26, 2025, in response to India’s continued importation and resale of Russian Federation oil. The existing 25% tariff already applied under Executive … Read More
The End of U.S. Duty‑Free De Minimis
The White House has issued a sweeping executive order that eliminates the longstanding “de minimis” duty-free exemption for low-value imports, effective August 29, 2025. Under 19 U.S.C. §1321(a)(2)(C), shipments valued at $800 or less per person per day were previously allowed into the U.S. without duties or formal customs processing. CBP reports that the volume of de minimis shipments grew from 134 million in 2015 to more than 1.36 billion in 2024. However, … Read More
Reciprocal Tariffs: Current Details as of July 31
Although the reciprocal tariffs are slated to take effect on Aug. 1, the most up‑to‑date information comes from the July 31 announcement. Annex II of the executive order issued at that time lists each affected country and the percentage of additional duty that will be added to its existing Harmonized Tariff Schedule rate. For every country‑specific entry the order repeats the same conditions: the additional duty does not … Read More
U.S. Customs User Fees to Adjust on October 1, 2025
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has announced upcoming adjustments to select customs user fees, including changes to the Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF) for formal entries, effective October 1, 2025. These changes are being implemented in accordance with the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act), which authorizes annual inflation-based fee updates. What’s Changing? While the MPF ad valorem rate of 0.3464% will remain unchanged, … Read More
EU and USA Trade Pact Reignites Cross-Atlantic Supply Chains
July 31, 2025 | Trade & Logistics Update In a major breakthrough, the United States and European Union have reached a landmark agreement to suspend billions of dollars in retaliatory tariffs and establish a new cooperative trade framework. Announced over the weekend and formally introduced by President Trump on July 28, the deal is being hailed as a turning point in U.S.–EU trade relations, potentially … Read More
How U.S. Tariffs Quietly Crushed Peak Shipping Season
As August 1st approaches, it’s clear that this year’s peak season never truly arrived. Despite ocean carriers’ attempts to raise freight rates through a General Rate Increase (GRI), market conditions simply wouldn’t cooperate. Soft demand, shifting tariff timelines, and volatile policy swings under the so-called “TACO” strategy have upended traditional shipping cycles. Rates for August are now falling, not rising, and with booking volumes down … Read More