On April 9, 2025, President Donald J. Trump signed an executive order aimed at revitalizing the United States' maritime industry and restoring the nation's maritime dominance. This initiative introduces several strategic measures to bolster the U.S. shipbuilding sector and enhance national security. MARITIME ACTION PLAN (MAP) The order mandates the [...]
April 9, 2025 | In a significant update to U.S. trade policy, the United States has announced a 90-day suspension of reciprocal tariff increases for the majority of its trading partners, while simultaneously raising tariffs on imports from China to 125%, effective immediately. The changes were confirmed in a statement [...]
On April 2, 2025, the White House announced an end to de minimis duty exemptions for goods from China and Hong Kong, effective May 2 at 12:01 a.m. The decision, outlined in a fact sheet, is part of a broader effort to combat the role of Chinese-sourced goods and e-commerce channels in [...]
On April 1, 2025, the U.S. government published the annex to the Section 232 auto tariff proclamation, detailing the specific products subject to new 25% tariffs on passenger vehicles, light trucks, and certain auto parts. The annex outlines key implementation dates and classifications to guide importers, exporters, and compliance professionals. [...]
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has announced additions to the annex of derivative products in alignment with Presidential Proclamation 10895, titled "Adjusting Imports of Aluminum into the United States," issued on February 10, 2025. The proclamation imposed specific tariffs on aluminum imports and derivative products. ALUMINUM DERIVATIVES ADDED [...]
Cargo moving through the Port of Long Beach (USLGB) continues to surge, suggesting shifts in U.S. supply chain strategies. Data trends hint that importers started adjusting their sourcing, routing, and inventory replenishment in response to tariff pressures and changing consumer demand. This boost in cargo demand bumped USLGB's February 2025 [...]
The rollout of new carrier alliances is creating additional congestion across Europe’s major ports, impacting vessel backlogs, high yard utilization, and inland transport delays. As carriers transition to updated service networks, overlapping vessel rotations and shifting terminal assignments add pressure to strained operations in Rotterdam, Antwerp, Hamburg, and Le Havre. [...]
The United States Trade Representative (USTR) has proposed a series of new service fees and operational restrictions targeting Chinese maritime transport operators and carriers utilizing Chinese-built vessels. If enacted, these measures would impact vessel operators calling at U.S. ports, introducing financial penalties based on vessel ownership, fleet composition, and [...]
On March 11, 2025, the European Union (EU) announced retaliatory tariffs as 25% tariff on steel and aluminum U.S. imports went into effect at 12:01 a.m. March 12, 2025 ending all country-specific quotas and exclusions. These EU countermeasures target approximately €26 billion (around $28.4 billion) worth of U.S. goods and [...]
AVIATION SECURITY WORKERS STRIKE AT 13 GERMAN AIRPORTS A nationwide labor strike organized by Germany’s Verdi union has brought operations to a near standstill at 13 major airports, including Frankfurt, Munich, and Hamburg. The 24-hour walkout, which began on Monday, March 10, 2025, has led to the cancellation of more [...]
