Industry Pulse: Rail rates may rise after the Fed's interest rate hike

The freight industry has struggled to match capacity to accelerating demand, and now the Federal Reserve plans to check that acceleration by raising interest rates.

By Kate Patrick Macri • June 11, 2018

Gap, H&M under fire for female labor conditions in Asia

A group of labor organizations singled out the brands in two reports, highlighting the need for long-term solutions to factory abuse.

By Nicole Ault • June 11, 2018

U.S. ports need $20B of infrastructure, authority says

The AAPA says that sum of multimodal and rail investment is what is still needed, despite the $155 billion ports are already adding during the next five years.

By Kim Slowey • June 11, 2018

Chain Reaction: Senate 'uncorks' tariffs bill

In other news, the Department of Homeland Security wants authorization to monitor private drones without consent for "potential threats."

By Kate Patrick Macri • June 8, 2018

CVSA's first Roadcheck since the ELD mandate took effect starts today

This year's event focuses on hours-of-service compliance, and the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance anticipates discovering some violations of the ELD mandate.

By Shefali Kapadia • June 5, 2018

15 unexpected tariffs from US allies

Canada, Mexico and the European Union swiftly responded with retaliatory tariffs — but steel products weren't the only goods on their lists.

By Shefali Kapadia • June 4, 2018

Apparel brands take a closer look at sourcing after cotton ban

U.S. Customs and Border Protection filed a detention order for all cotton from Turkmenistan after discovering state-orchestrated forced labor. 

By Shefali Kapadia • June 1, 2018

Ports shift operations as partly assembled auto exports drive growth

Auto parts usually face lower tariffs than fully assembled cars, leading automakers to alter their manufacturing and distribution strategies. 

By Barry Hochfelder • June 1, 2018

Chain Reaction: Tariffs are a test of supply chain resiliency

Tariffs and the electronic logging device mandate may have an unexpected effect on supply chains.

By Kate Patrick Macri • June 1, 2018

US allies retaliate against 'unacceptable' steel tariffs

Canada, Mexico and the EU swiftly responded with retaliatory measures on U.S. goods ranging from steel to felt-tipped pens.

By Shefali Kapadia • Updated June 7, 2018

US moves forward with steel tariffs on EU, Canada, Mexico

The 25% steel and 10% aluminum tariffs on imports from the countries will go into effect at midnight tonight.

By Edwin Lopez • May 31, 2018

UK food supply chain unveils Brexit 'manifesto'

More than 100 organizations banded together to outline key principles the U.K. should follow to secure food supply in light of Brexit.

By Edwin Lopez • May 31, 2018

US slaps 25% tariff on $50B of Chinese imports

The tariffs, meant to punish China for its intellectual property policies, came earlier than expected.

By Edwin Lopez • May 29, 2018

As PTC deadline nears, are Class I railroads ready?

Despite grants from the Federal Railroad Administration, railroads are left absorbing some of the costs of expensive positive train control infrastructure. 

By Shefali Kapadia • May 29, 2018

Right to Repair: State bills ask manufacturers to open up supply chains

Eighteen states are considering laws that would require manufacturers to make parts available for consumers that need repairs to bought products.

By Craig Guillot • May 29, 2018

Chain Reaction: Senate looks into pharma orders, foreign investment

The new bills would require drug distributors to share more data with the Drug Enforcement Administration and evaluate the effect of foreign investment on the U.S. economy.

By Kate Patrick Macri • May 25, 2018

China's scrap ban leaves supply chain unsettled

West Coast ports and carriers are facing lower volumes after China's decision to crack down on 32 types of scrap products.

By Edwin Lopez • May 23, 2018

Supply chains brace for new data standards

Companies will have to comply with Europe's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) if their supply chain reaches European customers.

By Craig Guillot • May 22, 2018

US pauses trade war with China after retailers testify

Retail trade groups and executives testified before the United States Trade Representative on the potential impact of proposed $50 billion in tariffs on China, which may still be on the table.

By Corinne Ruff • May 22, 2018

With China tariffs in flux, supply chains set sights on Vietnam

Exports from Vietnam to the U.S. doubled in the last five years, but concerns plague supplier quality and visibility. 

By Shefali Kapadia • May 21, 2018

Ports seek more funding to handle multimodal freight spike

The State of Freight report outlines ports' needs, but Congress doesn't seem like it will acquiesce anytime soon.

By Kate Patrick Macri • May 18, 2018

Chain Reaction: (Un)happy Infrastructure Week!

Ports are frustrated by the lack of funding options, even as one railway gets what it needs.

By Kate Patrick Macri • May 18, 2018

Negotiators blow past NAFTA deadline but plan to resume talks

House Speaker Paul Ryan set the stage for a dramatic week of negotiations, but instead saw NAFTA talks wind down to irresolution.

By Edwin Lopez • May 18, 2018

Tit-for-tat tariffs call for closer calculations

Should the worst happen, companies need to ensure global supply chains are prepared to handle disruption.

By Gary M. Barraco • May 15, 2018

Chain Reaction: White House organizes AI summit

On Capitol Hill, Maersk and UPS were among the industry representatives testifying to Congress on blockchain's use cases.

By Kate Patrick Macri • May 11, 2018