The Foreign-Trade Zine is the eMagazine of the Foreign-Trade Zone community. Each month, we cover local, national, and international news that affects FTZ operators, users, and Grantees. We also catalog Federal Register notices published by the Department of Commerce so you can keep abreast of the activity in the program across the country. Ready to get started? Send an email with the subject line “Subscribe” to FTZine@iscm.co.
June 3, 2025
No Cake And Ice Cream Yet: It was another month of dynamic trade developments for the foreign-trade zone community. While there is cause for optimism that trade terms will stabilize soon, too much remains unsettled to do any celebrating just yet. Negotiations with China resulted in a temporary pause in the sky-high rates FTZs had been paying on their imports. […]
April 30, 2025
May Day: Economic data released yesterday by the U.S. Department of Commerce confirmed that the U.S. economy contracted in the first three months of 2025. It usually takes two quarters of contraction in a row before economists consider the trend a recession. The Trump administration reported that it was discussing a reduction in tariffs with China, much to the relief […]
April 1, 2025
March Madness: It used to be a basketball tournament. Maybe they still play. Bet you were busy last month too. But for sure it describes March U.S. tariff changes, and the effort international traders are putting in to try and keep this thing afloat. A Rose Garden ceremony is planned today to unveil the reciprocal tariffs that have been the […]
March 3, 2025
Time To Push Your Head Back On: International traders know just what it feels like to be a Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robot. Last month was just one punch after another. First they had to add 10% to China. Then 25% on steel and aluminum, including derivatives. Now 25% on everything from Canada and Mexico. Plus another 10% on China. […]
February 4, 2025
T-Day: A lot can happen in two weeks. But not usually this much. Since January 20th a new President has been sworn in and signed over 75 Executive Orders. A 4-hour trade war was fought and won over immigration. Trade wars with Canada and Mexico lasted 4 days before a 30-day truce was negotiated in each. An escalation in the […]
January 6, 2025
Diffusing A Primary Weapon: Welcome Back! The FTZ’ine Staff hopes all our readers enjoyed a safe and happy holiday season. Now where to begin the New Year? Your federal government is still functioning thanks to a last-minute spending bill approved right before Congress went on recess. It did so without an agreement on spending policy. That is not new news: […]
December 2, 2024
I Beg Your Pardon?: A 25% tariff on all goods from Canada? And Mexico? And another 10% on everything from China? Eight weeks before he is sworn in, President-elect Donald Trump announced those new tariffs will go into place on his first day in office unless the three countries stem the flow of migrants and fentanyl into the U.S. Traders […]
October 31, 2024
Time To Vote: In an election this tight, every vote counts. Make sure yours is one of them. Last minute campaigning is consuming all the oxygen in Washington. Congress was able to pass a temporary spending bill to kick off the new government fiscal year that started at the beginning of this month. Yes, that means MPF caps have increased. […]
October 1, 2024
All Quiet On The Eastern Front: And that’s not a good thing. East and Gulf Coast Ports are closed. All of them. Nothing in or out. The two sides are not even talking at the moment and with the election so near, and so tight, it is not clear that President Biden will wade into the fray, or what impact […]
September 4, 2024
Deere In The Headlights: John Deere, the world’s largest seller of tractors and crop harvesters, has laid off over 1,000 workers so far this year as it shifts production to Mexico. That is sure to become a campaign issue as both Presidential candidates look to show support for union workers, and demonstrate understanding of the impact international trade issues have […]
July 31, 2024
That’s All Folks! Well, that’s all for the 2024 legislative agenda anyway. Wow. What a difference a month makes. As the last FTZ’ine went to press, we were eagerly anticipating the first Presidential Debate in a close race. A day later it looked like we could end up with a landslide. Three weeks after that we have a serious race […]
June 27, 2024
Where Will You Be Tonight At 9?: Our guess is that you will be watching the historic showdown between current President Joseph Biden and former President Donald Trump. The City of Atlanta hosts as CNN’s Jake Tapper and Dana Bash will moderate this year’s first Presidential debate beginning at 9 pm eastern. Trade, particularly trade with China, will be a […]