De minimis shipments, valued at $800 or less, have surged in recent years, largely due to the rapid expansion of e-commerce. These shipments now account for 92% of U.S. imports, with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) processing approximately 4 million daily—up from 2.8 million the previous year. While this [...]
As the new administration takes office, one of the most closely watched areas of economic policy is the potential shift in trade strategies—particularly when it comes to tariffs and free trade agreements. With the global economy still navigating the after-effects of the pandemic, supply chain challenges, and evolving geopolitical [...]
On Wednesday, October 30th, the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) announced its decision that aluminum extrusions imported from China, Colombia, Ecuador, India, Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam do not harm U.S. industry. This determination comes after a thorough investigation initiated over [...]
In response to the Bureau of Industry and Security's (BIS) recent proposal to enforce stricter tracking and reporting on the origins of connected vehicle supply chains—aimed at phasing out Chinese components by 2027—automotive, chipmaking, and various business groups have raised some significant concerns. Nearly 100 public comments were submitted before [...]
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) recently announced that the U.S. is set to increase tariffs on a range of Chinese imports through phased hikes over the next several years. Starting September 27, 2024, tariffs on electric vehicles, EV batteries, solar cells, needles, syringes, face masks, critical [...]
The Biden-Harris Administration recently announced plans to tighten regulations on the de minimis exemption, a rule that allows goods valued at $800 or less to enter the United States without duties, taxes, or extensive documentation. These changes seek to curb the flow of duty-free textile and apparel imports from China. [...]
The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) remain stymied in contract negotiations. This contract, originally signed in 2018, is set to expire on September 30, 2024. Shippers, vessel owners, importers, and exporters anxiously await resolution as both sides work toward a resolution while a threat [...]
UPDATE: MONDAY, AUGUST 26, 2024 - WORK RESUMES AT CANADIAN RAILWAYS Effective at 12:01 AM today, August 26, 2024, work has resumed at both CN and CPKC. This work resumption is the result of the Canada Industrial Relations Board order published on Saturday, August 24, 2024 that ruled the Teamsters [...]
CANADIAN RAILWAYS: COLLECTIVE BARGAINING TALKS REACH BOILING POINT The months-long, heated collective bargaining talks between Canada's two major railways, Canadian National Railway Company (CN) and Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC), and the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC) reached a boiling point yesterday. Both CN and CPKC officially announced a labor [...]
Collective bargaining disputes in both the U.S. and Canada may exacerbate congestion at key ports in both countries. Ports on the West Coast for both countries remain congested due to recent natural disasters and equipment shortages. The threat of labor action is expected to further disrupt operations at the Ports [...]
