USMCA

Global shippers are now implementing a “China plus” strategy that includes more than 40 countries in Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America. Accenture experts take a look at the contenders that are most relevant to logistics and supply chain managers in the United States.

Ever-shifting Customs regulations are causing shippers to stay on their toes. Our experts suggest partnering with experienced north-south carriers and Customs brokers in order to execute seamless cross-border moves in 2022.

There’s renewed optimism for global trade with the pandemic waning and borders beginning to open. Because of this upbeat projection, companies are continuing to invest in emerging markets—and those regions are getting ready for increasing volumes.

North American shippers are producing considerable volume of cross-border freight. How shippers navigate the complexities revolving around border delays, near-shoring demands and Customs documentation will determine their transport efficiency.

Shippers who are current on the global trade landscape are assets to their service partners and clients. Our global trade expert provides us with a review of the key trade topics that should be top of mind as we enter 2021.

Hemispheric trade got a big boost when a new cross-border agreement was crafted and signed, but now U.S. shippers must turn their attention to ongoing tensions in Asia and the looming impact made by Brexit.

By utilizing foreign trade zones this year, U.S. shippers can save time, money and lower their risk window when doing business with manufacturers in Mexico and Canada.

COVID-19, introduction of USMCA, and added tariffs all pose hurdles to efficiency for shippers in North American trade lanes.

As was expected following both the United States House of Representatives and Senate each voting to move forward with the United States Mexico Canada (USMCA) agreement, as a replacement for its predecessor the North American Free Trade Agreement, USMCA was formally signed into law by President Trump yesterday.

Significant progress has been reached towards the possibility of signing the United States Mexico Canada Agreement (USMCA), an updated version of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) into law, with U.S. House Democrats and the White House indicating they have come to terms on a working deal, according to various reports and statements issued today.

Most countries impose legal control on the export of goods from their jurisdictions, while international trade agreements often include additional regulations. However, failing to observe new laws and sanctions can have severe consequences for importers as well.

While the United States Mexico Canada Agreement (USMCA) is not a done deal until it is signed off by Congress and signed into law by President Trump, that has not stopped business concerns from clamoring for that to happen. That was made clear in a letter sent to the members of Congress by more than 600 United States-based business groups and more than 30 industries.

With last Friday’s news that the United States and Mexico reached a deal that will put off the implementation of tariffs by the United States on Mexico, which it had planned to start today as a countermeasure to what President Trump called an “ongoing illegal immigration crisis” at the Southern border, it is likely cross-border trade stakeholders are breathing a collective sign of relief.

Trade experts say the new, trilateral trade agreement has much to offer, but isn’t much of a departure from NAFTA. However, one thing is for certain: international shippers must master some new fine print if USMCA is ratified—and do it quickly.

Logistics Management Group News Editor Jeff Berman recently caught up with Bobby Harris, founder and CEO of Tampa, Fla.-based non asset-based 3PL BlueGrace Logistics about various topics within the freight transportation and logistics markets, including capacity, rates, and digital freight matching, among other topics. A transcript follows below.