Obvious economic winners will be multinational corporations that will be able to quickly and more easily move vast amounts of raw materials and finished products across markets, as well as the companies and enterprises directly tied to transport, from state port authorities to warehouse operators and distribution centers.

In fact, some estimates say the new trade routes will put shipping companies in reach of nearly two-thirds of the nation’s population, opening significant opportunities for another important sector: Middle-market companies in the United States.

The shifting path for global trade opens up chances for expanded international trade and for greater market share in the United States, as ports along the East Coast and the Gulf of Mexico take on greater importance for commerce. But to capitalize on the changes, mid-sized companies should take steps now to evolve their businesses and set new strategies.

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