ILA-USMX CONTRACT DEADLINE As the January 15, 2025 labor contract deadline looms between the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX), concerns mount about the possibility of a strike, particularly on U.S. East and Gulf Coast trade routes. While both parties express their desire to [...]
In 2024, the freight industry faced supply chain disruptions, adapted to shifting global trade policies, and took bold steps toward environmental sustainability. Throughout the year, the supply chain was shaped by labor disputes, equipment shortages, natural disasters, and policy changes. However, the industry’s ability to pivot, adapt, and build resilience [...]
China has announced a ban on the export of three critical rare minerals—gallium, germanium, and antimony—to the United States, citing national security concerns. These materials play an essential role in various high-tech industries, including semiconductors, fiber optics, solar energy, and defense technologies. The decision marks the latest development in an [...]
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 [...]
Labor negotiations across North American ports are facing critical challenges, with disputes over automation on the U.S. East Coast and government-mandated arbitration in Canada sparking intense resistance among longshore unions. Both the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) in the U.S. and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 514 in [...]
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 [...]
ILA CONTRACT RENEWAL OBJECTIVES In a recent letter to ILA members, ILA leadership outlined the current contract negotiations with the USMX. The letter further explains that ILA leadership chose not to sign USMX's contract offer that included a 61% wage increase due to a no-strike clause in the contract that [...]
In September, rail container dwell times at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach hit a two-year high. This spike coincided with record import volumes from Asia, largely because retailers began diverting cargo from U.S. East and Gulf Coast ports in preparation for the ILA longshore strike. While truck [...]
