North America

FDA Announces Steps to Help Boost Baby-Formula Supply

May 17, 2022

Abbott Laboratories reached a pact with U.S. authorities that would allow it to begin making baby formula again at a troubled plant in Michigan, a move that could help ease a supply shortfall that has rattled many parents.

Port Automation Is Hot-Button Issue in West Coast Labor Talks

May 13, 2022

Helen Atkinson, Managing Editor

While all parties have expressed confidence that an agreement will be reached between dockworkers and employers without disruption, they conceded there will be “difficult” issues. Among these are certain to be the wrangle over automation.

U.S., EU Plan to Pledge Supply Chain Cooperation to Counter Russia

May 13, 2022

Bloomberg

The U.S. and European Union plan to keep addressing supply chain and other disruptions as they project a unified front against Russia when high-level officials meet starting Sunday to discuss cooperation on trade and technology issues in Paris.

Biden Under Fire for FDA’s Delay in Fixing Baby Formula Shortage

May 12, 2022

Bloomberg

The White House raced Thursday to show it’s trying to ease a national baby formula shortage, as Republicans showered criticism on President Biden for a crisis that has left frantic parents scouring store shelves to feed their children.

Fate of U.S. Chipmaking Looks More Like Fantasy

May 11, 2022

Helen Atkinson, Managing Editor

A talent shortage and other factors make reshoring of American chip manufacturing unlikely, at best.

More Than Half U.S. Firms in China See Lockdowns Hitting Revenue

May 10, 2022

Bloomberg

China’s stringent Covid Zero strategy has damaged foreign businesses’ confidence, with U.S. firms in the country slashing investments and lowering revenue projections as lockdowns hit operations and supply chains.

G-7 Leaders Commit to Banning Imports of Oil From Russia

May 8, 2022

Bloomberg

Leaders of the Group of Seven most industrialized countries pledged to ban the import of Russian oil in response to President Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine.

West Coast Dockworkers, Firms Vow to Avoid Upheaval Amid Contract Talks

May 7, 2022

Bloomberg

Labor negotiations at 29 West Coast ports are set to start this week with both sides saying they want to avoid further upheaval in supply chains that haven’t fully recovered.

Virus Endangers Parts Supply for Already-Embattled Car Industry

U.S. Productivity Drops Most Since 1947, Driving Up Labor Costs

May 6, 2022

Bloomberg

U.S. productivity dropped in the first quarter by the most since 1947 as the economy shrank, while labor costs surged and illustrated an extremely tight job market.

Can the World Feed Itself? Historic Fertilizer Crunch Threatens Food Security

May 5, 2022

Bloomberg

For the first time ever, farmers the world over — all at the same time — are testing the limits of how little chemical fertilizer they can apply without devastating their yields come harvest time. Early predictions are bleak.

North America

The latest supply chain news, analysis, trends and best practices for companies operating in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Learn how businesses are optimizing supply chain and logistics performance across North America - addressing a range of challenges such as varying regulations, labeling and packaging requirements, customs and tax laws and government controlled exchange rates.