In mid-January 2026, multiple major outlets reported that President Donald Trump announced a 25% tariff targeting any country that “does business” with Iran, described as effective immediately via a social media statement. For supply chain leaders, the headline isn’t just “a new tariff.” It’s the uncertainty: Which countries qualify? What counts as “doing business”? Will CBP publish implementation guidance? Will it stack on top of … Read More
A $1.2T Trade Deficit, New Tariff Pressure
On December 9, 2025, the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee reviewed USTR activities and FY2026 funding priorities, with Ambassador Jamieson Greer as the witness. The hearing emphasized the use of reciprocal tariffs as an enforcement tool aimed at addressing a reported $1.2 trillion trade deficit. While the memo is written through an agriculture lens, the themes apply broadly across supply chains: More tariffs used as leverage … Read More
Counterfeits at the Border: Lessons from CBP’s $18.6M Louisville Interception
In early December 2025, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers in Louisville intercepted three international shipments containing counterfeit luxury goods, valued at more than $18.6 million if authentic. This wasn’t a “one-off.” It’s a clear signal that counterfeiters continue to exploit express and parcel channels, especially during peak and holiday surges, when volumes spike and bad actors hope to blend in with legitimate trade. … Read More
New U.S.–Latin America Trade Deals
The United States has announced a set of new framework trade agreements with four Latin American countries: Argentina, Ecuador, Guatemala and El Salvador; that will reshape tariff patterns on key food and agricultural products. One of the headline moves: the U.S. plans to drop a 10% reciprocal tariff on Argentine beef and significantly expand the volume that can enter the country at low or zero … Read More
US–China Tariffs in Late 2025: New Tariff Realities for Shippers
After years of tit-for-tat tariff hikes, the United States and China have stepped back from the brink, but they have not gone back to “normal.” Recent gestures following talks between President Trump and President Xi in Busan, South Korea, have cooled the temperature, trimmed some tariffs, and paused a few escalation triggers. Yet for shippers, importers, and exporters, landed costs on China–US trade lanes remain … Read More
The scale of the counterfeit problem this holiday season
CBP and its enforcement partners seize tens of millions of counterfeit items every year, from apparel and electronics to cosmetics, toys, and even medicines. In its most recent update, CBP reported seizing nearly 79 million counterfeit items in a single fiscal year, with a notional retail value in the billions if those goods had been genuine. Counterfeit clothing, consumer electronics, toys, and medications were among … Read More
Port of Oakland Faces Volume Fluctuations Amid Global Trade Changes
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