China Front And Center: Developments, mostly negative ones, in the U.S. relationship with China continue to dominate the international trade conversation in Washington. The Biden administration announced increased tariff rates and broadened the list of items from China with punitive charges, including a 102% tariff on Chinese electric vehicles. At the same time, a barrage of Chinese entities were added […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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. […]

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 […]