The massive volume of product returns following the 2025 holiday season, a period dubbed ‘Return-uary,’ is placing significant strain on supply chains and accelerating investment and innovation in the reverse logistics sector. According to a report from Taylor, approximately 12.2% of online orders from the holiday season were returned in the first two weeks of […]
In a complex global trade environment, importers are gaining access to new mechanisms for cost reduction and data analysis. Effective February 2, 2026, the U.S. has introduced a new process that can lower the Section 232 tariff burden for importers of certain medium- and heavy-duty vehicles (MHDVs). According to Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A., this […]
Global shipping carriers are aggressively expanding their control beyond the ports, a strategic pivot underscored by CMA CGM’s completed acquisition of Freightliner UK’s multimodal business on February 3, 2026. According to the SeaRates Blog, this move signals a significant shift for maritime operators from a traditional port-to-port focus to a more integrated approach that includes […]
The United Kingdom’s Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) is escalating its fight against the use of digital currencies for sanctions evasion, creating a new partnership just as a United Nations report highlights the growing reliance of sanctioned states on stablecoins. According to a February 2, 2026 announcement reported by Mayer Brown, OFSI has partnered […]
The United States and India have reached a tentative trade agreement that will see U.S. tariffs on Indian goods significantly reduced from 50% to 18%, a move expected to bring cost relief to American companies. The deal, announced by President Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on social media on February 2, 2026, marks […]
Singapore — 3 February 2026 — The International Centre for Trade Transparency Limited (ICTTM) today announced a groundbreaking new service inside its ADAMftd product: instant, tailored market-entry intelligence reports for importers, exporters, and trade professionals who need reliable answers—fast. Unlike traditional market research that can take weeks and cost tens of thousands of dollars, […]
Singapore — 3 February 2026 — The International Trade Council (ITC) today announced a major breakthrough in applied artificial intelligence for international trade: instant, tailored market-entry intelligence reports produced through its subsidiary, the International Centre for Trade Transparency Limited (ICTTM), using the ADAMftd platform. This new capability is designed for importers, exporters, customs brokers, […]
Global financial regulators and major banking institutions are accelerating efforts to create structured frameworks for blockchain technology, signaling a move toward mainstream integration. In a landmark announcement on January 30, 2026, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) revealed a joint initiative named "Project Crypto," according to a [...]
The stability of international trade contracts is facing significant challenges from both judicial and political fronts this week. In a move sending ripples through the global shipping industry, Panama's Supreme Court has annulled pivotal port contracts held by Panama Ports Company (PPC), a subsidiary of the Hong Kong-based conglomerate CK Hutchison. The decision, reported by [...]
The global trade landscape saw a significant divergence in tariff policies in early 2026, with the United States and Mexico implementing protectionist measures while China moved to lower import barriers on key industrial inputs. These conflicting strategies highlight a growing split in economic priorities among major trading nations. Effective January 15, 2026, the [...]
The critical importance of accurate Harmonized System (HS) code classification is being highlighted in early 2026, as the European Union implements technical updates to its tariff codes while India considers measures to resolve a massive backlog of customs-related legal disputes, many stemming from classification disagreements. Effective January 1, 2026, the European Union has [...]
The state of global customs clearance presents a mixed picture of remarkable efficiency gains and costly, disruptive bottlenecks. While China is accelerating processing times at a key border gate, persistent delays in Mexico and new blockages in the tech sector highlight ongoing vulnerabilities in international supply chains. Ahead of the Lunar New Year, customs clearance [...]
The European Union is aggressively pursuing a new trade strategy, forging major alliances with developing economies in a stark contrast to the United States' recent protectionist turn. According to a report from Herbert Smith Freehills, the EU and the South American trade bloc Mercosur sealed a free trade agreement on January 17, 2026, after a [...]
The World Trade Organization (WTO) on January 26, 2026, delivered a stark warning to the global community, slashing its forecast for merchandise trade growth in 2026 to a meager 0.5%. This represents a significant downturn from the previous estimate of 1.8%. According to the WTO, the bleak outlook is primarily attributed to the delayed but [...]
The World Trade Organization (WTO) is facing a deepening crisis of relevance and authority, highlighted by a recent ruling against the United States and Washington's continued obstruction of the institution's highest dispute settlement body. On January 30, 2026, a WTO panel found that U.S. tax credits for clean energy, a cornerstone of the Inflation Reduction [...]
Asian equity markets delivered mixed performances as currency shifts encouraged a natural recalibration across trade-driven sectors, led by movements in Japan’s financial markets. A stronger yen prompted investors to reassess export valuations, highlighting the close relationship between exchange rates and international trade competitiveness. Currency adjustments are a normal feature of open economies and often [...]
