This week's three biggest stories share one theme: the rules and risks around moving goods are shifting faster than most plans assume. Democrats have won Congress, yet the tariffs that shape your landed costs sit beyond its easy reach. A small group of Los Angeles and Long Beach port workers has put a large share of West Coast imports in play. And since 1st November, the European Union charges every non-EU parcel a permanent handling fee on top of its new duty. Here is what each means for sourcing, retail and supply chain teams.
Democrats Win Congress, but Trump's Tariffs Stay: Why Sections 301, 232 and 338 Keep Duties Beyond the Reach of the New House
Voters said tariffs hurt the economy, and Democrats took Congress on the strength of it. But the duties now rest on powers Congress has already delegated, and undoing them over a presidential veto needs a two-thirds majority in both chambers. We explain which tariff authorities are still in force and how to plan your 2027 costs around them.
250 Watchmen, 85% of Long Beach Cargo: What the Los Angeles and Long Beach Port Strike Deadline Means for Peak-Season Imports
About 250 watchmen represent roughly 2% of the union's workforce at the two ports, yet their terminals handle around 85% of Long Beach cargo and 33% of Los Angeles cargo. The deadline has passed, but the dispute is unresolved in the reports we reviewed. Read how to check your exposure and what a diversion to the East Coast would really cost.
The EU's €2 Parcel Fee Is Live: Why Up to €5 per Item Type Now Reshapes Cross-Border Ecommerce Sourcing
Ten identical T-shirts pay €2 to enter the EU; add two hats and it is €4. Together with the €3 duty, cross-border sellers can now face up to €5 for each item type in a parcel, and small-parcel imports are reported to have fallen by around 64% since July. We set out how to rework landed-cost models before peak.
That is this week's round-up. If one of these stories touches your own sourcing or supply chain plans, hit reply and tell us what you are seeing. We read every message, and your questions often shape what we cover next.
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