Trade Policy

WASHINGTON – October 29, 2026 -- The U.S. Department of Commerce has issued antidumping and countervailing duty (AD/CVD) orders on imports of van-type trailers and subassemblies from China. The orders will remain in effect for at least five years, according to the American Trailer Manufacturers Coalition (ATMC), which filed the underlying petitions.

Commerce orders follow affirmative ITC injury finding on Sept. 25, 2026

The ATMC filed AD/CVD petitions with Commerce and the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) on Nov. 20, 2025. The petitions targeted dumped and subsidized trailer products from Canada, China and Mexico. The ITC issued an affirmative final injury determination on all three countries on Sept. 25, 2026. Commerce had also made final affirmative determinations on dumping and subsidies for China.

Global – October 18, 2026 -- Asia-US West Coast container rates rose 4% last week to more than $8,100/FEU, while Asia-N. Europe prices fell 15% to $3,700/FEU, according to the Freightos Baltic Index. The split shows transpacific demand holding near peak-season levels as Asia-Europe volumes cool.

Transpacific rates stay at year highs on congestion and blanked sailings

East Coast rates were about level at $9,600/FEU. Resilient demand, a last push to move containers before the Golden Week holiday, and weather-driven Far East port congestion are keeping rates elevated. The absence of a tariff hike in late July may also have helped demand.

Some blanked sailings likely stem from congestion delays. Carriers are also trimming capacity for the holiday period and for easing demand expected later in October as peak season ends. Analysis showing fewer cancellations than in recent years may reflect the relative strength of demand.

Washington – October 18, 2026 -- Container rates from Asia to the US West Coast rose 4% last week to $8,400/FEU, a new high for the year, according to the Freightos Baltic Index. East Coast prices held level at about $9,600/FEU, $200/FEU below the late-August peak. Resilient demand kept pressure on rates through month-end.

US-China truce extended two months, with tariff cuts on $30B of goods

The Trump-Xi meeting in Washington extended last year's US-China trade truce by two months. The truce was set to expire on November 10. The leaders also agreed to two more meetings before year-end. The deescalation likely postpones US port call fees on China-linked vessels, though the USTR has not yet issued anything official.

Washington – October 16, 2026 -- The United States now produces just 1% of global aluminum, down from industry leadership 25 years ago, according to a study presented by economist Dr. Adam Hersh at an event hosted by the American Primary Aluminum Association (APAA).

Smelter count falls from 23 to four, none military-grade

In 2000, 23 primary aluminum smelters operated in the United States, against 10 in Canada. Four remain in the US, and none can produce military-grade aluminum. The last US smelter capable of making the high-purity aluminum required for many defense applications closed in 2022, leaving the country reliant on foreign sources.

Hersh, a research fellow at the University of Massachusetts, attributed the decline to foreign government subsidies and unfair trade policies. He called the loss of smelting capacity a market failure that exposes the US economy to supply chain disruption.

Washington – September 29, 2026 -- Widehall will convene its second annual American Growth Summit on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, gathering senior White House officials, members of Congress, and chief executives from Citi, NVIDIA, Siemens, and Coinbase at the Willard InterContinental in Washington, D.C. to address policy shaping America's economic trajectory.

Calgary – September 25, 2026 -- Friends of Science Society released a report by retired energy economist Robert Lyman, titled "Climate Monster - The Heavy Hand of Climate Regulation," arguing that Canada's net-zero policies rest on scenarios the climate modelling community formally retired in April 2026.

Ottawa's updated climate report reuses retired warming scenarios, group says

Environment and Climate Change Canada's "Canada's Changing Climate Report 2026" update prompted media claims that climate change is "irreversible." Friends of Science Society says the report continues to rely on the same implausible, high-emissions scenarios used in the 2019 version, which it argues triggered Canada's 2019 declaration of a climate emergency. The group had previously issued a rebuttal, "Climate Change Your Mind," challenging that earlier report's methodology.

New York City – September 24, 2026 -- The Trans-Atlantic Cotton Partnership (TACP), a new trade initiative shipping traceable U.S.-grown cotton directly to African manufacturers, launched during the UN General Assembly in New York City before private sector, investor, and government representatives.

Lesotho's Prime Minister Frames TACP as Industrial Bridge Between Continents

Prime Minister Sam Matekane delivered the keynote address, describing the initiative as an opportunity to build a productive industrial relationship connecting the U.S. and Africa beyond a simple cotton trading arrangement.

Bonn – September 16, 2026 -- Germany's widely cited 135% pork self-sufficiency rate masks a shortfall of roughly 20% in premium cuts such as loins, fillets and ham, according to the Bundesverband Rind und Schwein e.V.

Premium cuts make up only 60% of the carcass, and domestic supply falls short

A pig carcass yields so-called "Edelteile" -- loins, fillets and ham -- for roughly 60% of total weight, while the remainder consists of fatty and bacon-heavy cuts along with heads, feet and other trimmings. Market experts estimate the self-sufficiency rate for premium cuts alone sits at approximately 80%, meaning the remaining domestic demand must be covered through imports.

Washington – September 16, 2026 -- The American Pizza Boxes Manufacturers Coalition and the United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial and Service Workers International Union filed petitions with the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. International Trade Commission alleging that corrugated pizza box imports from China, Malaysia, and Turkey are sold at dumping margins as high as 568.50%.

Dumping margins reach triple digits across three countries

Plantation, Fla. – September 14, 2026 -- DHL Express has launched Heavy Weight Express (HWX), an express air freight service allowing U.S. businesses to ship cargo up to 2,200 pounds per piece and 6,600 pounds per shipment with guaranteed transit times.

DHL adds dedicated Priority Desks to monitor heavyweight shipments in real time

The service is backed by dedicated Heavy Weight Priority Desks that provide proactive tracking, early exception detection, and direct case ownership for each shipment. DHL Express operates its own aircraft fleet, hubs, gateways, customs operations, and last-mile delivery, giving customers a single-carrier model from pickup to delivery across more than 220 countries and territories.