Global Trade & Economics

Trump’s U-Turn on Iran Sanctions Would Unravel Decades of Curbs

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

The 14-point memorandum of understanding signed by the U.S. and Iran on June 17 includes the removal of all U.S. sanctions on Iran on “an agreed upon schedule.”

U.S. Goods Trade Deficit Widens to Biggest in More Than a Year

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 12:34:25 -0400

Data showed large declines in exports of both the volatile consumer goods category and capital goods, which in April had advanced to a record high.

Traffic Flows Through Hormuz Despite Shock Ship Attack

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 10:12:23 -0400

The U.S. is leaning on Oman, which also borders the strait, not to create a joint tolling system with Iran.

Little Relief from Soaring Spot Rates, Xeneta Says

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Shippers should not expect more ocean carrier capacity to translate into falling freight rates.

Hormuz Highlights How Maritime Risk Assessment Needs to Change

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Risk and compliance teams are no longer only asking whether a vessel transited Hormuz; they are asking whether that transit can be documented, explained and defended

Ship Struck in Hormuz as Oil Supertankers Turn Back Again

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 16:29:32 -0400

Two key exit routes through Hormuz have emerged over the past several weeks because the normal one through the middle is thought to have been mined.

Iran Blocks IMO Plan to Evacuate Trapped Ships, Seafarers

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 15:57:52 -0400

The proposal, backed by Oman, was potentially the first phase of a wider Omani proposal to consult on setting up a new management system for the strait.

U.S. Customs Ramps Up AI Investment in Push to Sharpen Enforcement

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 10:19:51 -0400

With new funding for technology and enforcement on its way to CBP, trade lawyers and customs brokers across the country are urging clients to be more diligent.

Trump Admin Tightens Customs Requirements for Importers

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

The executive order targets common tariff-avoidance practices, and limits the ability of companies to qualify for customs penalty reductions, among other stricter CBP requirements.

Bessent Calls for Overhaul of U.S. Supply Chains

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 14:46:29 -0400

Bessent claimed that decades of prioritizing low-cost sourcing have left the U.S. vulnerable to supply chain disruptions, all while compromising the country's domestic manufacturing.

Alibaba Sues U.S. Over 'Military' Blacklist

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 09:51:28 -0400

Alibaba said it had previously asked to meet with the DoD to address the Chinese military affiliation concerns.

Tariffs Raise Prices, Plain and Simple

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

CEO of toy manufacturer that brought the SCOTUS case that struck down Trump’s “reciprocal” IEEPA tariffs says there’s no way to defray tariffs costs other than by raising prices.

IMO to Carry Out Evacuation Plan for Stranded Hormuz Ships

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 13:46:18 -0400

The IMO said that it will carry out a large-scale operation with cooperation between the maritime industry and the U.S., Iran, Oman and other Gulf Coast states.

Heat Wave Lowers Rhine Levels, Straining Fuel Supply Chains

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Earlier on June 22, barges carrying diesel through Kaub in Germany were limited to about 1,070 tons of cargo, according to Spotbarge data.

U.K. Set to Finalize Long-Awaited Deforestation Rules

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

The rules will require businesses to conduct regular checks of their supply chains to ensure that they're not sourcing products grown on illegally deforested lands.

U.S. Temporarily Authorizes Sale of Iranian Oil

Mon, 22 Jun 2026 14:00:36 -0400

With the U.S. temporarily lifting its sanctions on Iranian oil, the Middle Eastern nation will now temporarily be allowed to sell oil using U.S. dollars

China Targets U.S. Rare Earths Firms in Response to Pentagon List

Mon, 22 Jun 2026 10:05:32 -0400

The move was in response to the Pentagon’s decision this month to add some of China’s biggest companies to a roster of firms it accuses of supporting the Chinese military.

Iran Says Hormuz Closed Again as Talks With U.S. Set to Open

Sat, 20 Jun 2026 18:19:34 -0400

Iran’s declaration on June 20 will likely make more risk-averse shipowners with vessels that have been trapped inside Hormuz for months more wary of exiting.

Iran Announces Plan to Charge Fees in Strait of Hormuz

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 16:13:08 -0400

Iran's chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said that the strait still needs to be managed, despite progress made on negotiations with the U.S.

Canada Looks to Food Supply Chain to Curb Grocery Costs

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 14:33:25 -0400

The bureau will conduct a "broad examination" of Canada's food supply chain, including harvesting, production, processing, logistics and transportation.

Strait of Hormuz Starts to Reopen

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 14:10:42 -0400

Lloyd's List maritime data found that ships that have been trapped in the strait since February have already started exiting the waterway.

From Nursery to Network - Orchestrating Agility with Julia Bedanova

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 10:04:04 -0400

In this episode of Let’s Wine About Supply Chain, we pour a glass and dive deep into the career of Julia Bedanova, the Chief Operating Officer at Million Dollar Baby Co.

U.S. Exports to Cuba Jump as Fuel, Cars and Food Get Past Trump’s Blockade

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

The surge in U.S. exports, however, doesn’t come close to meeting Cuba’s acute needs as the nation of 10 million people runs short of food and fuel.

Canada Ditches Supply Chain Human Rights Watchdog

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 12:31:24 -0400

Prime Minister Mark Carney said the office hadn’t been “effective” since it was set up in 2019.

CSCMP's State of Logistics Report: Get Used to the Fog

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Redesign the operating model, not just the network, the annual report's authors concluded.

Fertilizer Ships Face Long Backlog Even If Hormuz Reopens

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

There are over 40 vessels laden with fertilizer in the strait, according to tanker-tracking data compiled by Bloomberg and Kpler.

EU Moves to Strengthen Farmers' Position in Food Supply Chain

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

The new rules are designed to ensure that the final prices of food products better reflect production costs, while providing more income to farmers.

Canada Looks to Crack Down on Forced Labor Imports

Tue, 16 Jun 2026 15:49:20 -0400

This comes as the Trump administration has sought to pressure trade partners to strengthen their own forced labor enforcement measures.

Supreme Court Allows First-Term Trump Tariffs to Remain in Place

Tue, 16 Jun 2026 13:41:20 -0400

The levies were imposed in 2018 under Section 301 of the 1974 Trade Act, which allows the U.S. to enact tariffs in response to unfair trade practices.

EU Votes to Move Ahead with U.S. Trade Deal

Tue, 16 Jun 2026 10:38:13 -0400

Under the agreed provisions, the EU will cut tariffs to zero on American industrial goods, and the U.S. will keep tariffs on many European goods at around 15%