by Bill Armbruster, blog anchor By definition, the Miscellaneous Tariff Bill is “noncontroversial.” Once enacted, the MTB suspends import duties for two to three years on a mixed bag of chemicals and components that aren’t made in the USA but are inputs for US...
Pricey Shoes Nail Italy’s Share of US Footwear Imports
Italy’s standing among the top-ranked countries of origin for US footwear imports rests on pricier, higher-end brand products, Datamyne’s bill-of-lading data shows. Almost all footwear bought by US consumers is imported, with China far and away the leading source –...
US Footwear Imports Step up; Vietnam, Indonesia Step Forward
After stumbling earlier this year, US footwear imports stepped up in May, continuing a positive growth that began in April, the trade data shows. While China remains the leading country of origin, it continues to cede share to Vietnam as shoemaking shifts to...
Not Just for Bastille Day: US Toasts French Wine & Spirits
Whether it’s a champagne toast to Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité on La Fête du 14-Juillet, or an aperitif before, a bottle of wine during, or a brandy after dinner, Americans like to fill their glasses with French imports. Indeed, France is the leading source for US...
Oil Heats up Colombia-India Trade Relationship
As the US has scaled back its oil imports, Colombia has scrambled to sell its crude to markets in Asia and Europe. One top customer is India, which edged out China to became Colombia’s second-ranked export market by value in January and March of this year … and...
US Tight Oil Revolution Undermines Colombian US FTA Gains
Colombia’s Congress voted to table a free trade agreement with South Korea June 17. This was the third time the trade pact signed by the Colombian and South Korean governments in February 2013 failed to win Congressional ratification. Concerned about the FTA’s...
Exporting the Brazilian Spirit, Cachaça
Is it serendipity or part of the Plano Brasil Maior to expand markets for Brazilian products? The World Cup’s opening day is also International Cachaça Day. Cachaça is Brazil’s national (distilled) spirit. And it is indeed one of the export products promoted by the...
Are Tennessee Whiskey Exports Tapping out Supplies?
Global demand is on the rise for whiskey, especially Tennessee whiskey, the fastest-growing category. Sales, foreign and domestic, are outpacing production at least 2 to 1, reports The Tennesseean – and the production process (requiring two-years of aging, at minimum)...
Up for Debate: Will US Export-Import Bank Charter Be Renewed?
The US Export-Import Bank may have to shut its doors if Congress fails to act by September 30 to reauthorize the 80-year-old bank’s charter. The Obama administration has asked Congress to reauthorize Ex-Im for five years and to raise its portfolio cap by $20 billion...
Where Love and Quiches Found Working Capital: US Ex-Im Bank
by Bill Armbruster, blog anchor Financing is often the most crucial issue for US exporters, even more than the price of their goods. If commercial banks won’t provide the necessary credit, or the foreign buyers require assistance with financing so they can pay for the...