In this week’s Roar: China’s trade surplus, what if the Supreme Court rules against tariffs, a slow rebound at the Suez Canal, technology’s place in supply chain strategies, and how communication affects supply chains. By the end of 2025, China’s trade surplus sat at a record $1.2 trillion, an increase of 20%, mainly due to exports to Africa, Southeast Asia, Europe, and Latin America, offsetting declines to the U.S. This growth was fueled by demand for autos, chips, and electrical goods. While...

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On January 14, President Trump issued two proclamations under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 (Section 232) addressing national security risks associated with imports of processed critical minerals and semiconductors. The actions follow U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) investigations initiated in 2025 on critical minerals and semiconductors, reflecting an expanded use of Section 232 authorities to reshape supply chains for technologies viewed as essential to U.S. defense, infrastructure, and economic security. While the proclamations take different approaches — one establishing a pathway for...

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