Do you know where US beef comes from? Until last month, you could find out where your hamburger came from by reading the label on the package. Labeling meat products to disclose where the animal was born, raised and slaughtered was mandatory. But Congress has repealed...
Bubbly on the Rise: US Imports of Sparkling Wine Are Up
Nearly time to toast the New Year with a glass of champagne from – where else? – France’s Champagne region ... or perhaps you prefer a crémant de Bourgogne, or cava from Spain, or prosecco from Italy? If so, you’re part of a trend. Sparkling wine sales in the US were...
US Tariffs on Chinese Steel Near 500%
US tariffs on Chinese steel imports could near 500% with the Commerce Department International Trade Administration’s preliminary decision to slap anti-dumping duties of 256% on corrosion-resistant steel – this on top of countervailing duties of 236% imposed in...
On the Way: Fresh Grapes Imported from Chile
’Tis the season for (no, not Santa, that’s next week) ... fresh grapes imported from Chile! As the Northern Hemisphere swings into winter, shipments of fruit from the Southern Hemisphere ramp up. Leader of the pack, the first Chilean table grapes have shipped, reports...
Slowdown at Top US Ports: Bad News for Economy?
America’s busiest ports are sending a warning about the US economy, according to the Wall Street Journal. Citing data from Zepol (now part of Datamyne), the WSJ reports that imports at the three busiest ports – Los Angeles, Long Beach, and New York-New Jersey – fell...
A New HS Code for Tesla (and Other EV Makers)
Yet another sign that electric cars are catching on: A new 10-digit Harmonized Tariff System code has been established for the lithium-ion batteries used to power electrical vehicles: HS 8507.60.0010. Until now, the HS codes did not distinguish between EV batteries...
Warning Signs in Trade Data on China Presaged Drop (Says WSJ)
Global stock markets had a rude awakening last week when signs that China’s economy is slowing became unmistakable. Not so the astute market observers who have been tracking the trade data on China – or so reports the Wall Street Journal. According to the WSJ, one...
Trade Data on China: Eye on Export Competition
China’s currency devaluations aimed at making its goods more attractively priced for global markets have prompted the Obama administration to urge the world’s leading exporter to rely less on foreign sales and more on domestic consumption to stabilize and grow its...
Trade Data on Tianjin, China: Traffic in US Imports
The repercussions from August 12’s deadly Tianjin blast continue to be felt across global supply chains. Generally ranked among China’s (and by extension the world’s) top 10 ports, Tianjin handled US$45,681,904,539 worth of exports, accounting 6.10% of the country’s...
Happy Bastille Day!
More than champagne and perfume ... the leading French imports in the US are turbojets, airplanes and other aircraft. Although, as we've noted before, France is the leading source for US imports of wine and spirits. Here are the top 15 US imports from France: Happy...