Trade & Tariffs

Trade & Tariffs

Plastics hit with 50% tariffs in US-Canada trade war

Polyethylene bags and other plastic packaging products face a 50% tariff under Canada’s reciprocal tariffs order, effective September 8, 2026. Additional 15% tariffs apply to molds used in plastic, metal, and rubber manufacturing. Confusion over Harmonized Tariff Schedule codes is widespread, with Rabobank analysts citing significant uncertainty among converters. The measures compound pressures from the war with Iran, making tariffs one of the most pressing issues for plastic packaging producers today.

2026-09-25

Trade & Tariffs

US Imports Decline 4.5% Following Liberation Day Tariffs

Event: New report: US imports fell 4.5% in year after Liberation Day tariffs Authority: FreightWaves (MULTI) Published: 2026-09-23 Source tier: Trade media Original: https://www.freightwaves.com/news/new-report-us-imports-fell-4-5-in-year-after-liberation-day-tariffs US Imports Decline 4.5% Following Liberation Day Tariffs Key Points The imposition of the “Liberation Day” tariffs by President Donald Trump in April 2025 has had a significant impact on U.S. […]

2026-09-24

Trade & Tariffs

Saudi PIF launches Tawrid supply chain finance platform

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) has launched Tawrid Company for Financing Solutions, a digital supply chain finance platform authorized by the Saudi Central Bank. Tawrid operates in Sama’s regulatory sandbox and has signed binding agreements with Gulf International Bank, Saudi National Bank, Banque Saudi Fransi, ROSHN Group, and Nesma & Partners. The platform offers early invoice settlement, targeting SMEs to improve liquidity. Its launch supports PIF’s 2026–2030 strategy and follows Sama’s August 26 public consultation on supply chain finance rules, with a 30-day comment period.

2026-09-24

Trade & Tariffs

US Imposes New Tariffs on Chinese CGI Brake Drums, Citing Circumvention

Event: Certain Brake Drums From the People’s Republic of China: Preliminary Affirmative Determination of Circumvention of the Antidumping Duty and Countervailing Duty Orders Authority: Federal Register (US) Published: 2026-09-22 Reference: 2026-19372 Source tier: Official publication Original: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/09/22/2026-19372/certain-brake-drums-from-the-peoples-republic-of-china-preliminary-affirmative-determination-of US Imposes New Tariffs on Chinese CGI Brake Drums, Citing Circumvention Key Points The U.S. Department of Commerce […]

2026-09-23

Trade & Tariffs

Egypt, Saudi Arabia Pledge Red Sea Security Amid $800M Monthly Canal Loss

Egyptian President Sisi and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman pledged coordinated action to protect the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb Strait amid escalating Houthi attacks. The corridor carries 12% of global trade; disruptions cost Egypt $800 million monthly and $7 billion in 2024. Suez Canal revenue rebounded 23% to $4.67 billion in 2025/2026 but remains well below the $8.75 billion peak of 2022/2023. Houthi advances along Yemen’s Red Sea coast—and renewed strikes on Saudi targets, including near Khamis Mushait—heighten regional vulnerability, especially with Saudi Arabia’s 1,200-kilometre East-West oil pipeline already closed.

2026-09-23

Trade & Tariffs

U.S. Firms Weigh Uses for $134.7B Tariff Refund Cash

A Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta survey released September 21, 2026, found that U.S. firms receiving tariff refunds — totaling $134.7 billion as of September 11 — are largely holding the funds as cash. Among 1,100 executives surveyed in August, 25% reported receiving or seeking refunds averaging 1.7% of annual revenue. Of those specifying plans, 75% intend to retain the cash; 17% plan customer rebates; 15% will lower prices. Refunds began flowing in May after a Supreme Court ruling invalidated $166 billion in emergency tariffs. August marked the first month customs collections exceeded repayments.

2026-09-23

Trade & Tariffs

East Africa Logistics Costs Rise as Fuel Share Hits 55%

East Africa’s logistics costs are surging, with fuel now making up 55% of road transport expenses—up from 38% in 2021. Cargo movement between Mombasa and Kampala took 111 hours in July–September 2025, far exceeding the 72-hour target. The 1,700-km Northern Corridor faces growing competition from Tanzania’s 1,300-km Central Corridor. Industry leaders urge harmonised customs, digital integration, and end-to-end corridor planning—not isolated infrastructure projects—to restore trade competitiveness.

2026-09-22

Trade & Tariffs

US law empowers 100% tariffs on Indian goods amid trade uncertainty

US President Donald Trump signed the Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act on September 18, empowering him to impose tariffs of up to 100% on Indian goods. The law targets top Russian energy importers and takes effect within 30 days. Indian exporters warn it threatens $42.8 billion in annual US exports and undermines the $140.76 billion bilateral trade relationship. FIEO President SC Ralhan called the prospect 'a complete halt' to US-bound shipments, while Farida Group’s Rafeeq Ahmed noted 65% of his firm’s exports go to the US. With software services exports at $120 billion and a $500 billion trade target by 2030, uncertainty looms large.

2026-09-20

Trade & Tariffs

UK’s Tariff-Free Whisky Shipment to the US Marks New Trade Era

Event: Historic tariff-free Scotch whisky shipment bound for United States Authority: GOV.UK news search (GB) Published: 2026-09-18 Source tier: Official publication Original: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/historic-tariff-free-scotch-whisky-shipment-bound-for-united-states UK’s Tariff-Free Whisky Shipment to the US Marks New Trade Era Key Points The removal of tariffs on UK whisky exports to the United States is a significant development, particularly for the […]

2026-09-18

Trade & Tariffs

US Imposes 123.04 Percent Tariff on Indian Solar Cells and Modules

Event: Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Cells, Whether or Not Assembled Into Modules From India: Final Affirmative Determination of Sales at Less Than Fair Value, and Final Affirmative Determination of Critical Circumstances, In Part Authority: Federal Register (US) Published: 2026-09-16 Reference: 2026-18945 Source tier: Official publication Original: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/09/16/2026-18945/crystalline-silicon-photovoltaic-cells-whether-or-not-assembled-into-modules-from-india-final US Imposes 123.04 Percent Tariff on Indian Solar Cells […]

2026-09-18

Trade & Tariffs

US Tariff Policy: Key Points of the Latest Notice

Event: Modifying the Scope of Products of Canada Subject to the Additional Duties Imposed To Offset Canadian Discrimination Against the Commerce of the United States With Respect to Motor Vehicles Authority: Federal Register (US) Published: 2026-09-14 Reference: 2026-18839 Source tier: Official publication Original: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/09/14/2026-18839/modifying-the-scope-of-products-of-canada-subject-to-the-additional-duties-imposed-to-offset Key Points The U.S. has modified the scope of products from […]

2026-09-18

Trade & Tariffs

India holds firm on $40.8B Russian oil amid 100% US tariff threat

India is refusing to yield to U.S. pressure over its Russian oil imports, despite the passage of legislation authorizing tariffs of up to 100% on major buyers like India. In FY26, India imported $40.8 billion worth of Russian crude—nearly one-third of its total crude imports by value. The Ministry of External Affairs affirmed energy security for its 1.4 billion people remains non-negotiable and will be pursued through diversified sourcing. The bill, passed by the U.S. House on Wednesday, now awaits President Donald Trump’s signature. India has warned the measure could damage bilateral relations and disrupt global energy markets, while Russia and China have also criticized the U.S. approach.

2026-09-18