Jaguar Freight | The Weekly Roar – The USMCA, Big Data, U.S.-bound container imports, greenhouse gas emissions, and global supply chain trends.

The hard work of managing global trade strategies and negotiations continues even when the talk of tariffs fades (ever so slightly) from the headlines. The U.S. has launched a formal consultation process for the upcoming review of the vital U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), asking the public to comment on any benefits and shortcomings of the trade deal. Stakeholders have 45 days to submit feedback on issues including balanced trade, market access, and economic security. The first USMCA joint review meeting is set for July 2026, and the U.S. Trade Representative is also planning a public hearing in November.

Although we often hear AI touted as the solution for all sorts of business challenges, it seems it cannot fix the industry’s issues with Big Data. Before AI can deliver real value, companies need to address problems like data accuracy, availability, timeliness, and consistency. Many organizations struggle with huge volumes of data, varied formats, overwhelming speeds, and unclear sources of truth. So it’s not surprising that a recent survey found just 33% of supply chain managers consistently obtain accurate, real-time inventory data. Ultimately, AI can only be effective if the underlying data is trustworthy, complete, and well-managed.

U.S.-bound container imports in August reached 2.92 million TEU, up 3.8% year-over-year and setting a new August record, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence. But, before we get too optimistic, those volumes were down 2.6% from July’s record-breaking levels and highlight the pull-forward influence of tariff uncertainty. Consumer goods, automotive parts, and home furnishings saw growth, but declines hit capital goods and electronics. According to one analyst, even with the annual gain, market strength feels muted, and there’s still a lot of uncertainty about how the upcoming peak season will unfold for holiday retailers.

Nearly 200 shipping companies are pushing the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to adopt a global fee on greenhouse gas emissions from large ships. If it’s a go, rules would begin in 2027 and phase in cleaner marine fuels. With support from major industry groups, the plan would cover ships over 5,000 gross tons. But the U.S. is pushing back, saying the proposal is a “global carbon tax on Americans” and is warning of potential tariffs or port levies in response.

What trends are reshaping global supply chains, and how should U.S. industries strategically respond? These trends include a reverse globalization wave, the rise of manufacturer-to-consumer (M2C) models, and advances in intelligent manufacturing. Firms in China are expanding overseas for market access, building direct relationships with global consumers, and investing in robotics and AI, despite several challenges. For the U.S., the recommendation from industry experts is to prioritize collaboration with globally positioned and tech-savvy suppliers, ramp up M2C capabilities for customer diversification, and invest in intelligent infrastructure and automation to keep pace with the changing nature of global supply chains.

For the rest of the week’s top shipping news, check out the article highlights here.

Compliments of Jaguar Freight – a member of the EACCNY.