As US-China trade tensions flare, manufacturing caught in the crossfire

Tariffs could make plastic manufacturing in the U.S. more expensive, leading to fewer purchases of the material. 

By Cody Boteler • April 6, 2018

Chain Reaction: Trade war fears spook investors, but should supply chains worry?

It's been a rough week for the stock market as retaliatory tariff proposals and bankruptcy rumors abound.

By Kate Patrick Macri • April 5, 2018

Distributors, manufacturers could pay the price for US-China tariff spat

Tit-for-tat tariffs on products and intellectual property will carry long-term effects on many actors in the supply chain. 

By Alex Hickey • April 5, 2018

Trump's China tariffs hit consumer electronics, home appliances

While everyday products like clothing and shoes are not on the list, trade groups raised concerns that several key categories will be affected.

By Corinne Ruff • April 4, 2018

Contracts may be ag shippers' saving grace after China tariffs

The Agriculture Transportation Coalition says shippers can invoke "force majeure" clauses to sidestep contract obligations if demand does not justify cargo targets.

By Edwin Lopez • April 3, 2018

Enforcement of ELD mandate begins

Drivers operating trucks without electronic logging devices will be placed out of service for 10 hours. 

By Shefali Kapadia • April 2, 2018

China puts tariffs on $3B worth of selected U.S. food exports

In the wake of tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, American farmers and producers had been nervously eyeing China's plan to strike back.

By Cathy Siegner • April 2, 2018

ELD suppliers prepare for a second wave of adoption

With enforcement of the electronic logging device mandate beginning Sunday, suppliers are prepared to meet demands from trucking companies scrambling to adopt the devices. 

By Craig Guillot • March 29, 2018

Supply chains of steel: How tariffs will disrupt downstream manufacturing

While steel workers cheered tariffs, other industries are left scrambling to rework their sourcing, and jobs will likely be lost in the process. 

By Deborah Abrams Kaplan • March 27, 2018

New FMCSA chief 'all ears' on improving HOS inefficiencies

The newly appointed administrator is considering how hours-of-service regulations are enforced now that ELD data is coming in.

By Edwin Lopez • March 27, 2018

STB puts railroads on notice after shipper complaints

Responding to concerns from the National Grain and Feed Association and the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, the agency hopes to get railroads back on track. 

By Barry Hochfelder • March 23, 2018

Tech, retail industry leaders decry Trump tariffs on China

As threats of a trade war escalate, the technology and retail industries fear they'll face higher costs as a result of retaliatory tariffs. 

By Shefali Kapadia • March 23, 2018

Chain Reaction: Uber crash won't stop automakers from developing AVs

News of a self-driving car fatally striking a pedestrian scared many consumers skeptical of autonomous vehicles, but industry leaders will push ahead with fine tuning the technology. 

By Kate Patrick Macri • March 23, 2018

New trucking bill sets sights on young drivers to ease capacity crunch

The DRIVE-Safe Act would allow 18-21-year-old truck drivers to cross state lines after going through a training program. 

By Shefali Kapadia • March 21, 2018

ELD compliance rates jump 10 points as April 1 deadline approaches

CarrierLists' ongoing survey of compliance on the electronic logging device mandate shows drivers and trucking companies pushing up against the deadline.

By Kate Patrick Macri • March 21, 2018

Chain Reaction: Wall Street could save infrastructure

Since the feds are slow to provide infrastructure funding, freight industries may turn elsewhere. It's becoming a burning need as automakers race to develop AVs.

By Kate Patrick Macri • March 15, 2018

FMCSA extends ELD deadline for agriculture truckers

Regulators hope the 90-day waiver will help truckers hauling agricultural products adopt the electronic logging device mandate with respect for the industry's complexity.

By Kate Patrick Macri • March 15, 2018

EU ports warn of ocean freight bottlenecks post-Brexit

Tighter controls and customs inspections between the U.K. and European Union could lead to port congestion and delays for shippers.

By Shefali Kapadia • March 12, 2018

Chain Reaction: Tariffs are 'steeling' the headlines

President Trump imposed tariffs on U.S. imports of steel and aluminum, drawing sharp criticism; meanwhile AI continues to dominate the supply chain.

By Kate Patrick Macri • March 9, 2018

Trump slaps on steel tariffs but spares NAFTA neighbors

Steel yourself for 15 days of elevated sourcing activity and price volatility as markets adjust to the 25% higher raw material costs for select metals.

By Edwin Lopez • March 9, 2018

A NAFTA deal may come down to political will

Trade officials warn time is running short as all three nations approach their political seasons. 

By Edwin Lopez • March 8, 2018

EU threatens retaliatory tariffs on Levi's jeans and bourbon

With supply chains and the global economy interconnected, it's imperative for companies to pay attention to the geopolitical landscape. 

By Rich Weissman • March 7, 2018

Economist warns job losses may follow tariffs at TPM 2018

The past two presidents also raised tariffs against China to protect U.S. jobs — but ended up costing the country more than it helped.

By Edwin Lopez • March 6, 2018

Federal government backs litigation of opioid makers, distributors

States and cities are already suing the three largest drug distributors in the U.S. for their role in facilitating the opioid epidemic.

By Rich Weissman • March 5, 2018

Chain Reaction: Industries eager to work on AVs, blockchain

Feds and business leaders met to discuss AVs last week, while various industries barrel ahead with innovation.

By Kate Patrick Macri • March 5, 2018