February 12th, 2026
House Votes to Overturn Trump's Tariffs on Canadian Imports
The House passed a vote to overturn President Trump’s tariffs on imports from Canada, signaling a growing bipartisan appetite to roll back duties that have been squeezing cross-border supply chains. For shippers moving goods between the US and Canada, this could mean relief on surcharges and landed costs, but the bill still faces an uphill battle in the Senate and a likely presidential veto. Keep watching this one closely before making any sourcing or routing changes.
CK Hutchison Threatens Maersk with Legal Action Over Panama Ports
CK Hutchison, the Hong Kong-based conglomerate that operates key Panama Canal port facilities, is warning Maersk of potential legal action in an escalating dispute over port operations. For shippers relying on Panama Canal transit lanes, any disruption to port management or access could ripple through transit times and vessel scheduling. This is one to monitor if you’re routing cargo through Central America.
EU Parliament Reaches Deal on US Trade Pact
The European Parliament has reached an agreement on a new EU-US trade pact, potentially smoothing the flow of goods across the Atlantic. For shippers moving freight between Europe and the United States, this deal could mean reduced trade friction, more predictable tariff schedules, and lower compliance headaches. The details still need final ratification, so don’t celebrate just yet, but the direction is encouraging for transatlantic supply chains.
Bipartisan Bill Aims to Close the 'First Sale' Customs Loophole
Senators Whitehouse and Cassidy have introduced a bipartisan bill to close the so-called ‘first sale’ customs loophole, which allows importers to pay duties based on a lower transaction price in multi-tiered supply chains rather than the final sale price. If this passes, shippers who have been using the first sale rule to reduce duty costs could see a significant jump in customs expenses. Now is the time to audit your duty strategy and talk to your customs broker about exposure.
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening Tariffs on Countries Trading with Iran
President Trump signed an executive order that could impose tariffs of up to 25% on goods from any country that trades with Iran. This broadens the scope of secondary sanctions and could disrupt supply chains involving countries in the Middle East, South Asia, and beyond. If your sourcing network touches any nations with Iranian trade ties, it’s time to map your exposure and evaluate alternative suppliers before these penalties take effect.
White House Adviser Navarro Calls Out 'Significant' USMCA Flaws
White House trade adviser Peter Navarro is publicly flagging what he calls significant flaws in the USMCA, the trade agreement governing commerce between the US, Mexico, and Canada. This signals potential renegotiation or stricter enforcement ahead of the agreement’s 2026 review. For shippers with North American supply chains, tighter rules of origin or new compliance requirements could drive up costs and complicate cross-border freight flows.
