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Controversial New Process for Regulations

On April 6, President Biden issued the Executive Order (EO) “Modernizing Regulatory Review” that will change the process by which federal agencies such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Departments of Transportation and Labor promulgate their regulations. The White House says these changes will improve the process, but administrative law experts believe the new…

Peak Shipping Season Rebound Unlikely

Ocean carriers are coming to the realization that the upcoming peak shipping season will likely be a bust. Several carriers have been predicting that the Asia to U.S. market would see a rebound in container shipping during the second half of 2023. It is becoming clear now that the so-called rebound is not going to happen. Industry experts have also backed off previous…

Protected: Exciting Changes for The Inspired Home Show 2024

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The Limit, Save, Grow Act of 2023

On April 26, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Limit, Save, Grow Act of 2023 (H.R. 2811) to suspend the federal government’s debt ceiling through either March 31, 2024, or a $1.5 trillion increase when the current $31.4 trillion ceiling runs out, whichever comes first. It’s not unusual for Congress to raise the debt ceiling so Treasury can continue to sell U.S. bonds…

Transpacific Contract Negotiations Finalized

The majority of ocean contracts covering containers moving between Asia and the United States have been finalized. The contracts being signed contain rates that are substantially lower than the rates that were finalized in April 2022. The previous two contract cycles saw spot rates skyrocket to record high levels before finally subsiding in the fall of 2022. The new contract…

West Coast Ports Still Operating Without a Contract

Contract negotiations between the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) ports remain at a standstill. After 10 months of negotiations, there has been very little progress in resolving key issues such as automation and wages. The PMA recently called out the ILWU for intentional work slowdowns causing delays at the ports…

Proposed PFAS Standards from the U.S. EPA

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has taken steps to set maximum levels for certain polyfluoroalkyl and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in public drinking-water systems, and to designate certain PFAS as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act or CERCLA (the Superfund law). PFAS are chemicals that have…

IHA Submits Comments to USTR Tariff Review

As required by the Trade Act of 1974, the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) must conduct a “necessity review” of the Section 301 tariffs on some $350 billion of products from China (Lists 1, 2, 3 and 4a) or the tariffs automatically sunset after four years. However, the Trade Act is somewhat vague on how a review should be done, giving USTR a fair amount of latitude in carrying…

Significant Trade and Shipping Regulatory Actions

The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) is required by statute to conduct a “necessity review” of Section 301 tariffs, which in this case concern tariffs placed on some $300-$350 billion of products from China (Lists 1, 2, 3 and 4a). Former President Donald Trump started imposing the duties in 2018 under Sec. 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, which automatically expire after four…