Trade News

A major strike at ports along the East and Gulf coasts has been averted after the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the U.S. Maritime Alliance (USMX) reached a tentative deal on a new six-year contract. The agreement was announced Wednesday, just days before the January 15 deadline.

The deal still needs to be ratified by union members and USMX representatives. The two sides will continue operating under the current contract until the votes are held. No dates for these meetings have been announced yet.

The ILA and USMX expressed satisfaction with the outcome in a joint statement. “This agreement protects current ILA jobs and establishes a framework for implementing technologies that will create more jobs while modernizing East and Gulf coast ports – making them safer and more efficient, and creating the capacity they need to keep our supply chains strong.”

Negotiations had stalled over port automation, and the union was concerned about jo…

With President-elect Donald Trump set to return to the White House later this month, there has been a fair amount of attention focused on his plans regarding tariffs, a key cornerstone of his economic agenda.

As reported in LM, in posts made on his Truth Social platform in late November, Trump said that, effective January 20, when he takes office, that he will sign an Executive Order, calling for a 25% tariff on all U.S.-bound imports from Canada and Mexico, as well as an additional 10% tariff on all U.S.-bound imports from China.

Regarding tariffs placed on Canada, a December Bloomberg report stated that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau noted that should the U.S. impose new tariffs on U.S.-bound Canadian imports, Canada will respond with retaliatory tariffs, as it did in 2018, following tariffs placed on Canadian steel and aluminum, a move called successful by Trudeau in the report.

“Let’s not kid ourselves in any way, shape o…

As 2025 begins, the global logistics landscape remains uncertain, with challenges ranging from geopolitical instability to climate-related disruptions. Supply chains must evolve to not just survive but thrive in the face of these hurdles. Businesses are increasingly adopting strategies to make their supply chains antifragile, able to adapt, and grow stronger through disruption.

The concept of an antifragile supply chain emphasizes flexibility, preparedness, and technology. Companies like Maersk are leading the way with innovative solutions, such as their Gemini East-West network launching in early 2025. “Disruptions are inevitable, but the right planning and partnerships can minimize their impact,” said a Maersk spokesperson.

Here are five strategies to make supply chains antifragile in 2025:

1. Build Resilience with Flexible Networks

Networks that can adapt quickly are less likely to experience domino effects from disruptions. Maersk’s Ge…

Contract negotiations between the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) are set to resume on January 7, raising hopes for a resolution before the current deal expires on January 15. Bloomberg reports that the talks aim to avoid a potential strike that could shut down major ports on the US East and Gulf coasts, which handle about half of the nation’s container volumes.

The key sticking point remains using semi-automated rail-mounted gantry cranes at port terminals. While the equipment is allowed under the current agreement and already in use at some terminals, ILA President Harold Daggett has taken a firm stance against further automation, calling it a threat to dockworker jobs.

USMX argues that modernization, including automation, is essential for the competitiveness of US ports and the broader economy. In a December 20 statement, USMX emphasized, “Modern technology dramatically increases the amount of car…

The Biden Administration has released the first-ever Quadrennial Supply Chain Review, a detailed report assessing vulnerabilities in the United States’ critical supply chains. The review highlights the risks of foreign reliance on foundational semiconductors, key components used in industries such as defense, healthcare, and telecommunications.

“A resilient and secure supply of foundational semiconductors is critical to U.S. national and economic security,” the report states. These chips power essential sectors, including medical devices, critical infrastructure, and defense systems.

The review outlines recent steps to boost domestic chip production, including investments under the CHIPS and Science Act and tax incentives for manufacturers. Notable projects, such as Texas Instruments’ facilities in Texas and Utah and GlobalFoundries’ operations in Vermont and New York, are already underway to strengthen the supply chain for legacy chips.

The administrati…

A new report from RR Donnelley attempts to break down the readiness of the supply chain for the future, and it has produced some interesting nuggets of interest to leaders.

Among the biggest surprises is that while artificial intelligence is rapidly gaining traction, investment is specifically taking place in near-term technologies such as real-time visibility, scanning codes, and predictive analytics. Of those using AI, 59% said they are utilizing it for supply forecasting operations.

And, as nearshoring and reshoring continue to dominate global trade headlines, and President-elect Donald Trump floats widespread tariffs, 97% of survey respondents plan to reengineer their supply chain in the next two years, with 30% planning a “total and complete reengineering.” As part of this, 69% of respondents are developing new relationships with alternative suppliers, 67% are increasing domestic sourcing, and 52% seek dual sourcing from geographically dispersed …

President-elect Donald Trump's recent statements about reclaiming U.S. control over the Panama Canal have sparked significant debate. While the political and diplomatic ramifications are evident, it's crucial to examine the potential supply chain implications of such a move.

Strategic Importance of the Panama Canal

The Panama Canal is a pivotal artery in global trade, facilitating the movement of approximately 4% of the world's goods. It enables efficient maritime routes between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, significantly reducing transit times and costs for shipping companies. The United States is the canal's top user, underscoring its importance to American commerce.

Potential Supply Chain Disruptions

A U.S. attempt to regain control over the canal could lead to several supply chain disruptions:

Operational Uncertainty: Transitioning control might introduce uncertainties in canal operations, affecting scheduling and reliability. Shipping companies dep…

As the U.S. prepares for potential changes to trade policies in 2025, importers are bracing for higher costs and new supply chain challenges. To help businesses stay ahead, GEODIS has created a guide called “Managing 2025 Tariff Increases: The Smart Importer’s Strategy Guide,” which offers practical steps to prepare for the changes.

“Importers that act early will be better positioned to manage costs and maintain competitive advantages in the face of evolving trade policies,” said Josh Jungwirth, Executive Vice President of Freight Forwarding at GEODIS.

Here are six key strategies from the guide to help businesses protect their margins and stay competitive:

1. Calculate Your Tariff Exposure

Start by analyzing your import structure to understand your current tariff exposure. Develop contingency plans for different scenarios, such as a universal tariff (10-20%), targeted increases (25%), or high-impact tariffs on Chinese imports (60-100%). Early planni…

According to the GEP Global Supply Chain Volatility Index, North American manufacturers are stockpiling materials at the highest levels since July, preparing for potential tariff hikes under the incoming Trump administration. Meanwhile, Asian supply chains are experiencing a surge in activity, driven by China’s government stimulus and export demand. The index, which measures global supply chain performance, rose in November to -0.20 from -0.39, signaling tightened capacity globally.

Manufacturers are bracing for higher import costs in North America by building safety stock, particularly in the consumer goods sector. “In November, U.S. manufacturers, particularly in the consumer goods sector, increased their safety stocks to help blunt any immediate tariff increases,” said John Piatek, vice president at GEP. This increased activity pushed the region’s supply chain activity index to a four-month high.

Asia saw its strongest growth in three-and-a-half years as Chi…

C.H. Robinson CEO Dave Bozeman addressed the potential impact of President-elect Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs during the company’s recent investor day, according to CNBC's coverage of the event. Trump has suggested imposing a 25% tariff on goods from Mexico and Canada and a 60% tariff on Chinese imports, a move that could have significant implications for the logistics industry. Despite these challenges, Bozeman remains confident in the company's ability to adapt.

“Some shippers will say, ‘We will take on that tariff.’ The economics of that volume will probably change in pricing and things like that. Either way we’re still going to move that freight,” Bozeman said. “The freight still has to move. It might just move at a different starting point, and we would still be there to move that.”

The investor day presentation highlighted C.H. Robinson's exposure to key trade routes, such as U.S.-Mexico and China-U.S., where tariffs could disrupt shipping costs a…

If you are shopping for holiday gifts and decorations this season, check the label for where the products were made. If the label says “Made In China” you can count on price increases in the near future. 

On a recent trip to Target, I found row after row of Christmas decorations, all with “Made In China” labels. China has been the primary source of Christmas decorations, lights, and artificial trees for more than 25 years. Yiwu, a city in Zhejiang province about an hour by train from Shanghai, is known as the “Christmas capital of the world.” Over 600 factories in Yiwu and surrounding areas produce more than two-thirds of the world’s Christmas decorations.

Holiday gifts and decorations are just a few of the items that will likely increase in price based on the increase in import tariff promises made by the incoming Trump administration. The intended effect of high import tariffs is for manufacturing to come back to the U.S. by forcing importers t…

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has delayed the start of the Premier Alliance Agreement, a proposed vessel-sharing partnership between HMM, Ocean Network Express (ONE), and Yang Ming. The agreement aims to allow the three companies to share vessels, charter space, and collaborate on global shipping operations. It was designed to replace THE Alliance, which is being restructured following Hapag-Lloyd’s departure to join Maersk in the new Gemini Cooperation.

The Premier Alliance Agreement was filed with the FMC on October 28 and was set to take effect on December 12. However, the FMC determined that the filing lacked sufficient details to evaluate its competitive impact and compliance with statutory requirements.

“The Commission has determined that the Premier Alliance Agreement as submitted lacks sufficient detail to allow for a complete analysis of potential competitive impacts and whether the agreement fully complies with all statutory requirements,…