Rick McDonald

Amid ongoing trade uncertainties and tariff threats, the Port of Savannah set its second-busiest year ever, driven by retailer inventory buildup. Read more ▶ https://lnkd.in/eHhRyf_9 How will ongoing trade tensions and tariffs continue to impact port activity? #SupplyChainCompliance #Tradeverifyd #RiskManagement #EthicalSourcing #SupplyChainSuccess #Economy #Tariffs #Trade #Disruption #Solutions #RiskIntelligence

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A RELEX State of the Supply Chain 2026 report preview reveals that 86% of supply chain leaders say trade policy changes and tariffs have altered their operations. 📰 Learn more at: https://hubs.li/Q047rrly0 RELEX Solutions #SupplyChain #SupplyChainDisruption #GlobalTrade #Tariffs #BusinessStrategy #RetailIndustry

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📌𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗧𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗳𝗳 𝗧𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗟𝗼𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗻 (Expert opinion from MLCG’s perspective) The recent developments around a possible extension of the U.S.-China tariff truce and the potential return of protectionist policies under a Trump 2.0-style administration are more than just political headlines. For logistics executives, infrastructure investors, and strategic decision-makers in the transport and maritime sectors, this is a clear signal: we are entering a new phase of geo-economic volatility that could redefine cargo flows, cost structures, and the viability of key investments. ↳ W𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴: The U.S. is considering new tariffs on goods with Chinese-origin components, especially in sensitive sectors like electric vehicles and semiconductors. While discussions of a continued truce persist, the risk of unilateral actions, retaliatory measures, and renewed supply chain disruptions remains. Logistics networks now face an environment where cost is no longer the sole concern; regulatory risk, rerouting needs, and resilient infrastructure have become central to strategic planning. ↳ 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿? - 𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗸𝘀 for projects lacking logistics diversification: failing to consider alternate routes or sourcing options limits competitiveness. - 𝗥𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗵𝘂𝗯𝘀: Ports like Colón, Balboa, and Cartagena may reposition as key buffer zones for Asia–Americas flows. - 𝗡𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗺: Central America and the Caribbean are becoming attractive for manufacturing and regional logistics. - 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗳𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗰𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮: tariff sensitivity, exposure to geopolitical chokepoints, and adaptability must now be factored into every analysis. - 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗣𝗣𝗣𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘆: Governments and operators are seeking guidance to build resilient, sustainable strategies. 📌𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗱: → Relying solely on optimistic free trade scenarios. → Underestimating the impact of tariffs on last-mile costs. → Overlooking regional strategic intelligence in project design. This new commercial chapter demands leaders who anticipate, adapt, and reposition. At MLCG, we empower better decisions through reliable data, regional insight, and strategies designed to maximize profitability, reduce risk, and lead with clarity. 📌𝗔𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘆𝘀𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 J.P. Morgan, Mundo Marítimo, Trade Compliance Resource Hub, and MSN News.

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Forty chemical manufacturing CEOs are warning that the proposed Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern rail merger could reduce competition and increase costs for U.S. manufacturers. #railways #freight #transportation #consolidation #manufacturing https://lnkd.in/erAu3FNn

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Cortney O'Toole Morgan and Julie Elise Maurer’s article, “What Manufacturers Need to Know About Trade, Tariffs, and the Evolving Supply Chain in 2026,” was featured in the National Association of Manufacturers - NAM Operational Insights eNewsletter (Volume 9, Issue 2). The article explores critical developments shaping the manufacturing sector, including the impact of a pivotal Supreme Court decision on tariffs, increased enforcement of trade compliance, the expanding role of AI in supply chain management, and new risks for cargo security. Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/eFYmyqd3 #Manufacturing #InternationalTrade #SupplyChain #Tariffs

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Featured in the National Association of Manufacturers - NAM Operational Insights eNewsletter (Volume 9, Issue 2), Cortney O'Toole Morgan and Julie Elise Maurer’s article, “What Manufacturers Need to Know About Trade, Tariffs, and the Evolving Supply Chain in 2026,” explores the critical developments shaping the manufacturing sector. The article addresses the impact of a pivotal Supreme Court decision on tariffs, increased enforcement of trade compliance, the expanding role of AI in supply chain management, and new risks for cargo security. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eFYmyqd3 #Manufacturing #InternationalTrade #SupplyChain #Tariffs

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In today’s Expert Contributor, Sergio Morales Hidalgo , President, AOLM, explains how deliberate supply chain diversification structurally positions companies for enhanced growth. Don't miss 'Strategic Supply Chain Diversification: A C-Suite Blueprint': Article Link: https://lnkd.in/ey8Fv4p9 Audio Link: https://lnkd.in/errFGeBr Out now! #MBN #MexicoBusiness #ExpertOpinion #AudioArticle

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In this episode, we dive into the logistics and supply chain world with Ray Roberts from ShipHawk. We explore how companies can effectively manage tariffs, optimize warehouse operations through automation and robotics, and significantly boost their profit margins through strategic shipping practices. Learn practical insights about supply-demand shifts, stress-testing new port routes, and ways to capture extra revenue by streamlining logistics operations. Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro to tariffs, logistics optimization, and increasing profit margins 00:54 - Understanding today's tariffs and their impacts 01:36 - Entering the robotic age in logistics 02:21 - What does robotics mean specifically in logistics? 04:03 - Dark warehouses vs. gray warehouses: automation explained 05:35 - How ShipHawk enables effective warehouse automation 06:58 - Practical example: automating the receiving process 08:27 - Importance of streamlining administrative tasks 09:18 - Opportunities for automation in shipping and cost savings 11:10 - Supply-demand shifts due to tariffs 12:55 - Impacts of rerouting shipments to Canadian ports 14:12 - The value of cycle counting in warehouse management 16:16 - Strategic over-ordering to capitalize on market shifts 17:29 - Increasing profits through strategic shipping methods 19:36 - Freight audits and capturing revenue from delayed shipments 21:01 - How to profit from strategic shipping rules and markups 22:19 - Carrier shopping to maximize profit margins 23:24 - Summary of value in WMS and shipping automation strategies 24:59 - How ShipHawk solutions deliver real ROI Watch on YouTube📺 : https://lnkd.in/gBrpvFtk Listen on Spotify 🎧: https://lnkd.in/g2u8APVK

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Hot-rolled coil is averaging $𝟵𝟳𝟱 𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝘁𝗼𝗻. Cold rolled has reached $𝟭,𝟭𝟮𝟱. This is a two year high. In tougher pricing environments, transportation performance carries greater consequences. As D. Scott Schell, CEO of TA, notes in the Index: “𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘪𝘯𝘧𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘴 𝘮𝘰𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦, 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘭𝘺 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘨𝘪𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘦𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘵𝘰𝘭𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘳𝘶𝘱𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯.” The 𝗤𝟭 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗧𝗔 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗹 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗲𝘅 connects pricing pressure to execution discipline across steel networks. Download the report: https://hubs.ly/Q045bv-z0

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Supply Chain Alert: U.S. De Minimis Ends + New 40% Transshipment Tariff At ALOM, we’re advising clients to act now, not wait. Transitioning to U.S.-based fulfillment could avoid fees, refusals, and reputational risks tied to failure to provide a smooth delivery due to customs issues. What’s happening: Big shifts are underway for shipping into the U.S., and especially companies shipping to consumers. Shippers should be alert and react now if they want to maintain a smooth customer experience for American consumers. 1. End of #DeMinimis ($800 Threshold) – Effective Aug 29 The long-standing U.S. de minimis threshold, which allowed low-value imports (under $800) to enter the country duty-free, is being revoked. – Overseas D2C models will face friction: duties, fees, and complex customs clearance. – U.S.-based fulfillment now offers a clearer path for cost control and customer satisfaction. – There is a 6-month exemption for postal shipments however an IEEPA “Reciprocal” tariff rate will apply with a specific duty ranging from $80 to $200 per item based on country of origin. This adds significant cost to each delivery. 2. 40% #TransshipmentTariff – Effective This Week A sweeping new Executive Order imposes a 40% ADDITIONAL tariff on goods found to be transshipped through third countries to evade duties—while this targets indirect Chinese exports routed via Vietnam, Malaysia, etc., many products may be affected. – Companies that rely on bundling products from different destinations overseas, then shipping into the U.S., may be at risk of being assessed transshipment fees. – The safe choice is to ship components into the U.S. for bundling or final packaging to take place in the U.S. Takeaway: Anybody shipping goods in to the American end-consumer market must react to this new reality.   Let’s talk: What steps are you taking to prepare for this shift? https://lnkd.in/g2Uhcue8

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The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to strike down IEEPA tariffs marks a significant shift for global trade — but it does not mean uncertainty disappears overnight. For importers and supply chain teams, the real impact lies in what comes next. Questions around duty refunds, replacement tariffs, and future trade measures are already shaping how businesses evaluate landed costs and sourcing strategies. Here’s how we see the situation right now: • Short-term volatility in planning and pricing decisions is likely • Some tariffs remain in effect, and new measures under different authorities may follow • The most resilient supply chains will focus on flexibility — not quick reactions Trade policy changes rarely move in a straight line. They evolve, adjust, and sometimes return in new forms. At Airlift, we’re actively monitoring developments and helping customers navigate decisions with clarity — balancing compliance, cost efficiency, and long-term strategy. What matters most now isn’t reacting fast — it’s planning smart. #GlobalTrade #SupplyChain #FreightForwarding #TradePolicy #Logistics #Airlift

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