Progress and Paralysis in US Trade Policy
After weeks and months of economic tension and political uncertainty, a flurry of developments in early November have reshaped the outlook for US trade and logistics.
From tariff rollbacks to port fee suspensions, and a potential landmark Supreme Court ruling and continuing government shutdown...
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Metro Global USA: Building Momentum in a Key Market
Metro has taken a major step forward in its international growth strategy with the successful establishment and rapid expansion of Metro Global USA.
The operation now spans more than 10 offices across key logistics hubs, including New York, Chicago, and Dallas, strengthening Metro’s local pr...
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USTR Port Fee Shockwave Hits Chinese Shipping and Vehicle Carrier Sectors
The U.S. Trade Representative’s (USTR) newly imposed port fee regime is massively impacting container and roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) operators, inflating operating costs, tightening vessel capacity, and prompting warnings of severe disruption to U.S. logistics.
UPDATE 30 OCTOBER - Donald Trump an...
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When the Suez Canal Comes Back Online: Hidden Risks for Supply Chains
With hopes rising of stabilising conflict in the Red Sea region, analysts are increasingly considering what it would mean if shipping lines resume full use of the Suez Canal route, and it’s not all good news.
While the shorter route from Asia to Europe might seem like a logistical boon, th...
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U.S. Power Plays Shape Global Climate and Asian Trade Policy
The United States exerted its influence on two critical stages this month, by blocking consensus on global maritime climate regulation in London and sealing a series of trade pacts across Southeast Asia.
At the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in London, U.S. pressure proved decisiv...
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One Minute Late, Thousands Lost: U.S. Customs Tightens Enforcement Across All Modes
In U.S. trade compliance, even a one-minute delay can be costly. Recent cases show importers and logistics partners facing thousands of dollars in penalties simply because mandatory filings were completed moments after official cut-off times.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has steppe...
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U.S. Shutdown Strains Supply Chains as Key Agencies Go Offline
As it enters its 3rd week the U.S. government shutdown is squeezing every part of the country’s trade and logistics ecosystem, with air traffic control, ports and customs all under strain. While some critical functions persist, the uncertainty is already slowing imports, exports and regulatory ...
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Carriers Pull Sailings and Add GRIs as US Port Fees Add New Cost Layer
Container lines are tightening capacity to defend freight rates just as new U.S. port fees on China vessels start on 14 October—costs that carriers say will be passed through to shippers.
In the run-up to contracting season, the shipping alliances have stepped up blank sailings to support pr...
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Transatlantic Sea Freight Steadies
The North Europe to US, transatlantic trade-lane, is settling into a more predictable rhythm, after a trade deal and took much of the guesswork out of export planning, while carriers have lifted reliability and held blank sailings to minimal levels.
The result is a market where prices are ea...
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Brands Adapt to a New US Trade Reality
UK fashion brands and retailers have long viewed the United States as the ultimate growth market, drawn by its scale, spending power, and trendsetting influence. But new trade policies and tariff changes mean that succeeding in America now demands more resilience and strategic agility than ever b...
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US Targets Tariff Evasion
The White House has launched a revitalised Trade Fraud Task Force to clamp down on tariff evasion and customs violations. This coordinated cross-agency initiative is set to bring sharper enforcement tools and greater scrutiny to a trading environment already complicated by regulatory uncertainty ...
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Carriers Sustain Transpacific Rate Momentum with Strategic Blanking
Transpacific carriers have achieved notable success this September in upholding spot freight rates despite softer volumes and ongoing market pressures. Through a mix of strategic blank sailings and well-timed general rate increases (GRIs), the main carriers have sustained a robust rate environmen...
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