President Biden and the United States Trade Representative (USTR) recently announced Section 301 tariff hikes on key imports to address strategic trade concerns with China. These tariffs impact a wide range of products including electric vehicles (EVs), critical minerals, and other key sectors. New tariffs are set to take effect [...]
"To encourage China to eliminate its unfair trade practices regarding technology transfer, intellectual property, and innovation, the President is directing increases in tariffs across strategic sectors such as steel and aluminum, semiconductors, electric vehicles, batteries, critical minerals, solar cells, ship-to-shore cranes, and medical products." White House Fact Sheet | May [...]
A surge in Asian imports to the Pacific Southwest is driving an increase in eastbound intermodal train movement, adding to the chronic deficit in rail cars returning west. ASIAN IMPORTS SURGE AT PACIFIC PORTS The Port of Los Angeles reports that local dockworkers moved 2,380,503 TEUs in the first quarter [...]
The U.S. Department of the Treasury enacted directives on Friday, April 12, 2024 that prohibit the import of Russian-origin aluminum, copper, and nickel into the U.S. These actions also limit the use of these Russian-origin metals on global metal exchanges and over-the-counter derivatives trading. This move supports the G7 Leaders' [...]
The Port of Baltimore is currently working towards handling containers within the next four weeks after shutting down because of the Key Bridge collapse. Starting in a limited capacity to containers as well as other freight (such as ro/ro) the port is targeting a full reopening by the end of [...]
BRIDGE COLLAPSE Maryland Governor Wes Moore declared a state of emergency for the city of Baltimore after a container ship collided with a support column of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, causing a total collapse early in the morning of March 26, 2024. The Francis Scott Key Bridge stretched 1.6 [...]
In late February, members of the OCEAN Alliance (OA), CMA CGM, Cosco Shipping, Evergreen and OOCL, announced the extension of their partnership agreement for five more years. Solidifying this alliance provides some stability in the shipping sector, that has seen other alliances restructured or dissolved recently. The new agreement begins [...]
Implementation of the Strengthening Organics Enforcement (SOE) Rule goes into effect today, March 19, 2024. The new rule updates the USDA’s organic regulations, oversight, and enforcement for organic products including production, handling, and sales. The new rule also implements 2018 Farm Bill requirements, addresses industry requests for regulation updates and National [...]
The recently published Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) budget for Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) demonstrates the Commission's focus on staffing, restructuring, case prioritization, OSRA implementation, and a new electronic case management system. These updates are part of the $48.4 million congressional funding request FMC submitted for FY25 - an increase of [...]
California state and regional regulatory agencies are facing backlash from the freight transportation sector due to new emissions rules. Similar in goal to SB-253 and SB-261, these rules are being introduced to reduce emissions from freight transportation activities. The agencies are being urged to delay the rules due to high [...]
