The United States Trade Representative (USTR) published a new trade action under Section 301 targeting Nicaragua’s acts, policies, and practices related to labor rights, human rights, fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law. The December 10, 2025, report concludes that Nicaragua's trade practices are unreasonable and burden or restrict [...]
Week 50 reflects broad softening in containerized import volume, ongoing capacity oversupply across Transpacific services, and sustained peak activity in key Asia air cargo markets. Carriers are initiating extensive blank sailings through late December to manage utilization, while congestion persists at select Asian ports. Trade policy developments remain active, [...]
TRANSPACIFIC & ASIA–U.S. OCEAN TRADE: CAPACITY STILL OUTPACING DEMAND According to a recent industry-leading container-shipping index, offered capacity on Far East → U.S. West Coast and East Coast trade lanes rose over the past two weeks, signaling that capacity supply continues to outpace demand on many routes. This extension [...]
Week 47 brings active shifts in U.S. trade policy, a softening in Transpacific volume, and continued pressure across key Asia air cargo markets. At the same time, Asia origin capacity remains generally stable, while strong e-commerce activity and fourth-quarter demand continue to influence regional air cargo conditions. HOW ARE [...]
Trade activity remains steady as carriers fine-tune deployments across Asia. Transpacific ocean volumes have eased into the seasonal slowdown, while air cargo from Southeast Asia continues to climb ahead of year-end. U.S. Customs compliance remains a critical focus for importers working to manage tariff exposure under the latest trade [...]
The global freight environment continues to balance trade progress with ongoing capacity management. U.S. policy developments in Asia are reinforcing supply stability, while carriers in key markets are adjusting deployments to match persistent fourth-quarter demand. UNITED STATES AND CHINA REACH TRADE AGREEMENT The United States has announced coordinated actions [...]
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) continues to refine how it examines multi-tier import transactions, with a stronger focus on documentation supporting first sale for export valuation. Importers using first sale to determine declared value should expect closer review of intermediary paperwork and transaction structures. According to trade compliance professionals, [...]
UNITED STATES EXPANDS TRADE FRAMEWORKS IN SOUTHEAST ASIA The United States signed a new set of reciprocal trade frameworks with Viet Nam, Malaysia, Thailand, and Cambodia. Each pact opens broader access for U.S. goods, simplifies regulations, and builds cooperation in labor, environmental, and digital-trade policy. The agreements also include [...]
WHITE HOUSE FINALIZES SECTION 232 TARIFFS ON TRUCKS AND PARTS The White House confirmed final Section 232 import tariffs on medium- and heavy-duty trucks, vehicle parts, and buses, effective November 1, 2025. The measure establishes duties under the Department of Commerce’s national-security authority and clarifies USMCA treatment, offset provisions, [...]
WHAT ARE THE FINAL SECTION 232 IMPORT TARIFFS ON TRUCKS, PARTS, AND BUSES? The White House has finalized Section 232 import tariffs on medium- and heavy-duty trucks, related vehicle parts, and buses following the Department of Commerce’s investigation into national security risks associated with foreign-sourced manufacturing. The proclamation establishes final [...]
