On February 20, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled 6–3 that the president lacks authority under the International Emergency Economic Power Act (IEEPA) to impose “trafficking” tariffs on Canada, China, and Mexico or broad reciprocal tariffs worldwide. The Court did not address whether importers are entitled to refunds, and its decision will not... Read more »
A head-spinning sequence of trade announcements this past week has left manufacturers and chemical suppliers scrambling to keep up. The U.S. has struck sweeping new trade agreements with the European Union, Indonesia, South Korea and Japan—while simultaneously announcing a 25 % tariff on Indian imports. The flurry of moves in just two weeks has redefined market... Read more »
President Donald Trump made headlines on July 12, 2025, by announcing sweeping 30% tariffs on imports from the European Union and Mexico, set to take effect on August 1. Positioned as a measure to protect national security and rebalance trade relationships, the announcement has already sparked diplomatic backlash and market volatility. The tariffs cover a... Read more »
The United States is preparing to impose substantial fees on ships associated with China, aiming to revitalize its struggling domestic shipbuilding industry and counter China’s growing dominance in global maritime trade. A draft executive order proposes levying fees on vessels docking at U.S. ports if they are part of a fleet that includes Chinese-built... Read more »
Currently there are ongoing negotiations between the International Longshoreman Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance, Ltd. (USMX) which may halt operations due to a potential strike on October 1st. According to Supply Chain Dive News, in June the ILA canceled a planned meeting with USMX due to the use of automated truck... Read more »
The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) contract that includes 3 dozen ports and 45,000 dockworkers, covering Maine to the Gulf of Mexico near Texas, is set to expire on September 30th. If the ILA and the U.S. Maritime Alliance cannot reach an agreement by this deadline, this would lead to a strike. This strike would... Read more »
In recent months, the container shipping industry has encountered a perfect storm of challenges, resulting in significant disruptions and increased costs for shippers worldwide. A confluence of factors, including ongoing Red Sea diversions, Asian port congestion, and sudden demand spikes, has created a volatile environment reminiscent of the tumultuous period experienced during the pandemic.... Read more »
For months, the news cycles and industry blogs have been filled with stories involving worldwide supply chain issues. Now it seems that for the first time in a while, we are seeing some progress being made and it’s coming from a predictably progressive source: California. With just two California ports handling roughly 40% of... Read more »
The petrochemical market is reacting to volatility and widespread price increases for the past few consecutive months, leaving many buyers wondering what the reasons are behind it. Companies are especially feeling this added pain just as manufacturing makes its attempt at recovery in the post-pandemic world. Simply stated, there are two primary factors driving these... Read more »
As concern about the spread of COVID-19, commonly known as the coronavirus, continue to develop in the U.S., many companies are beginning to look at the potential economic impacts of this virus on their businesses. What can you do to prepare? Here is what you need to know: Monitor your Supply Chain Closely Many producers... Read more »
