This week’s report starts with a critical heads-up: U.S. ports are preparing for a possible federal government shutdown, which could slow customs clearance and impact throughput at key gateways. Beyond that, new tariffs on furniture and wood products set to take effect October 14 may drive cost increases for importers, especially those sourcing from Asia. While pharma tariffs are delayed for now, it’s a reminder of how fast trade dynamics can shift.
Over in the semiconductor sector, Taiwan is resisting U.S. pressure to move chip production stateside, a move that could prolong Asia-centric routing dependencies for tech and electronics shippers. On the infrastructure front, the Panama Canal is offering more flexible booking options to help mitigate ongoing capacity constraints. In domestic freight, ACT and FTR’s latest data show slight improvement in trucking conditions, but underlying challenges like soft demand and tight driver capacity persist.
Finally, we wrap with a forward look at the top supply chain conferences to consider for 2026, timely opportunities to gather insights on freight cost control, sustainability, and future tech.
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