On January 20th, President Donald Trump issued the America First Trade Policy, signaling a return to an aggressive stance on trade designed to prioritize American businesses, workers, and economic security. The policy builds on previous trade strategies from his first administration, with a renewed focus on reducing trade deficits, reshaping trade agreements, strengthening enforcement, and…
The Panama Canal has long been a vital artery for global trade, dramatically shortening maritime routes between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Built by the United States and operated for much of its existence under American control, the canal was transferred to Panama in 1999. But recently, it has become the focus of fresh geopolitical…
The latest: RECIPROCAL TARIFFS, STEEL AND ALUMINUM DERIVATIVES LIST PUBLISHED February 14, 2025 U.S. Announces Plan for Reciprocal Tariffs The U.S. government has announced a plan to impose reciprocal tariffs on countries that maintain higher tariffs on American goods or enforce non-tariff trade barriers. These barriers include phytosanitary measures, technical restrictions, export subsidies, weak IP…
Overall This week, the Drewry composite index increased by 3%. Freight rates between various ports have shown diversity; rates from Rotterdam to New York remained stable. Rates from Shanghai to Los Angeles increased by 7% and Shanghai to New York rose by 6%. Drewry expects rates on the Transpacific trade to rise in the coming…
As the world prepares for the Trump Administration, global trade finds itself navigating a storm of uncertainty. President-elect Donald Trump’s looming inauguration has reignited fears of a renewed trade war, leaving businesses and governments scrambling to assess the potential fallout from tariffs, port disruptions, and geopolitical instability. Trade Headwinds Loom Large The promise of widespread…
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) have issued guidance on ensuring compliance with Wood Packaging Material (WPM) standards. This guidance includes a comprehensive checklist designed to help exporters and shippers verify that WPM meets U.S. import requirements, reducing the risk of costly delays, inspections, or penalties.…
The Biden administration has initiated a trade investigation under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, targeting Chinese-made “legacy” semiconductors. These older chips power everyday products like automobiles, washing machines, and telecom equipment. The probe, announced just four weeks before President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration, aims to protect U.S. and allied semiconductor manufacturers from China’s…
Overall This week, the Drewry composite index decreased by 2%. Freight rates between various ports have shown diversity; rates from Rotterdam to New York remained stable. Rates from Shanghai to Los Angeles decreased by 5% and Shanghai to New York declined by 1%. The ILA port strike, which began on October 1, 2024, ended after…
As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office, his ambitious tariff proposals have raised significant questions about their impact on global trade and the web of supply chains that depend on international commerce. By targeting nations like China, Mexico, and members of the BRICS bloc, Trump is aiming to overhaul trade relationships and his plans…
The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA), representing approximately 45,000 dockworkers along the East and Gulf Coasts, could strike again in January 2025 posing a significant disruption to U.S. supply chains. This past October, the ILA initiated a three-day strike after the expiration of their contract, primarily due to disputes over wages and the automation of port…