Insights

Mitigating Supply Chain Risk in the Oil and Gas Sector

August 25, 2025.
Logistics Publications

Background Procuring industrial equipment such as generators, pumps, and compressors essential for operational facilities often involves sourcing from Southeast Asian manufacturing hubs. Variations in logistics capabilities and customs performance between countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia can influence the efficiency and reliability of the supply chain. A supply chain risk...

U.S. / E.U. Publish Final Trade Agreement

August 22, 2025.
Trade Publications

After weeks of tense negotiations, Washington and Brussels have formally released the written framework of their new trade agreement. For importers, the agreement provides much-needed clarity on tariff rates and scope while avoiding the steep increases that had been threatened earlier this year. While the framework reduces immediate uncertainty, it...

CBP Announces New Rules for Low-Value International Mail Shipments

August 18, 2025.
Trade Publications

Beginning August 29, 2025, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will end duty-free treatment for low-value shipments arriving through the international postal system. This change, required under Executive Order 14324, applies to all countries and marks a full departure from the global de minimis framework that previously allowed many low-value imports to...

Expanded Steel and Aluminum Tariffs Now in Effect

August 18, 2025.
Trade Publications

The Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum just got a major expansion, and importers will need to brace for the impact. As of August 18, 2025, hundreds of additional derivative products have been pulled into the 50% tariff net, marking one of the largest single expansions since the duties were first introduced. Background...

Diesel Price Drops

August 14, 2025.
Logistics Publications

Diesel Price Drops 4.6¢ to $3.754 a Gallon Diesel fuel’s national average price shed 4.6 cents to $3.754 a gallon in its third straight decline, according to U.S. Information Administration data released Aug. 12. The price drop is nearly four times the amount of the previous two weeks...

China-U.S. Economic and Trade Talks Held in Stockholm, Sweden

August 13, 2025.
Trade Publications

Stockholm, July 29 (Xinhua) — From July 28 to 29 local time, Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, China’s chief representative for economic and trade affairs with the U.S., held talks in Stockholm, Sweden, with U.S. Treasury Secretary Bassett and Trade Representative Greer, the U.S. counterparts. The two sides...

U.S.–China Tariff Truce Gets a 90-Day Extension

August 12, 2025.
Trade Publications

In a move widely anticipated by markets and trade watchers, President Trump signed an executive order on Monday granting a 90-day extension to the current U.S. – China tariff pause – just hours before higher duties were set to return. Without the extension, U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods...

Brazil Imports Subject to 50% Tariff – Effective August 7

August 08, 2025.
Trade Publications

In a major escalation of U.S. trade actions, the Trump administration has finalized an executive order imposing a 50% import tariff on certain goods from Brazil, citing serious human rights violations and politically motivated prosecutions in that country. The order, issued under the authority of the International Emergency Economic Powers...

Trump Administration Targets India with 50% Import Tariff

August 06, 2025.
Trade Publications

President Donald Trump has signed a new Executive Order imposing a significant escalation in tariffs on goods originating from India, citing the country’s continued purchase of Russian oil as the catalyst for this action. The move comes under the authority of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA)...

Manufacturing Exemptions 101: Cut Costs, Boost Profits

August 06, 2025.
Tax Publications

Sales tax exemptions can significantly benefit manufacturing businesses by lowering operating costs through reduced cost of goods sold, encouraging investment in machinery by cutting purchase prices by thousands of dollars, and enabling manufacturers to offer more competitive product pricing. Sales tax exemptions enable eligible individuals to buy qualified products or...

U.S. Ends De Minimis Duty Exemption: What Importers Need to Know

August 04, 2025.
Logistics Publications, Trade Publications

In a major shift for international trade, the U.S. government has announced sweeping changes to how low-value imports will be handled. Effective August 29, 2025, the long-standing de minimis exemption – which allowed most shipments valued under $800 to enter duty-free – is being largely eliminated. Combined with new Food and Drug...

Trump Raises Tariffs on Canada to 35% Amid Trade and Border Disputes

August 01, 2025.
Trade Publications

On July 31, President Trump signed an executive order increasing tariffs on Canadian goods from 25% to 35%, effective August 1, 2025. The administration links the tariff hike to national security, arguing that insufficient Canadian enforcement against illicit drug smuggling – particularly fentanyl – poses “an unusual and extraordinary threat” to the U...