This week’s market highlights start with a major policy shakeup: the United States has struck a new deal with Vietnam that introduces a 20 percent import tariff. This move will ripple across supply chains, especially for companies sourcing from Southeast Asia. At the same time, China continues to dominate rare earth element production, raising red flags for manufacturers reliant on these critical inputs. Stateside, the manufacturing picture remains mixed. June brought a slight rebound in production, but overall sentiment stayed low, and the ISM PMI shows continued contraction, reminding us that recovery is uneven.
Trucking costs are also on the rise. The latest ATRI report shows record-high expenses in 2024, squeezing margins and forcing a rethink on domestic freight strategies. On the innovation front, a proposed LA to New York high-speed rail that carries trucks could offer new intermodal options that blend speed with flexibility. Finally, the Port of New York and New Jersey has overtaken all others as the nation’s busiest cargo hub in May, signaling a key shift in import volumes and reinforcing the port’s strategic value. At Kesco, we track these developments not just to stay informed, but to help you move faster, plan better, and ship smarter.
Sign up for newsletter alerts below and get emailed when the next newsletter is published!
