Tarriffs

A handpicked roundup of the top 10 logistics and supply chain stories from 2025, highlighting the most significant trends and themes identified by LM Group News Editor Jeff Berman—this curated list goes beyond simple popularity metrics, offering deeper insights into the key developments shaping the industry.

The logistics industry enters 2026 feeling a strong sense of déjà vu, as shifting tariffs, uneven freight markets, and persistent uncertainty left many managers reliving the same disruptions throughout 2025. Yet amid the volatility, technology—especially AI—offers a path forward, and those willing to adapt, rethink partnerships, and invest in smarter tools will be best positioned to navigate the chaos ahead.

A White House executive order issued yesterday announced new tariffs on imports of timber, lumber, and their derivative products (wood products), focused on an effort, to bolster American industry and protect national security.

This marks a shift in policy compared to the high tensions between the nations going back to when President Trump re-entered the White House in January.

POLA reported that total July volume, at 1,019,837 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEU), increased 8.5% annually, marking the highest-volume month in the port’s 117 years of operations. The Port of Long Beach reported that total July volume, at 944,232 TEU, rose 7% annually, setting a new July record, topping the previous high set in 2024, while posting the third-highest tally, for any month, on record for the port.

In this podcast, Logistics Management Group News Editor Jeff Berman interviews Jonathan Todd, Partner and Vice-Chair, Transportation & Logistics, at Benesch, a Cleveland-based law firm.

In the face of ongoing tariff uncertainty, 18 C-suite executives share their strategies for navigating the evolving landscape. Many companies are absorbing tariff costs, passing them onto customers, or sourcing domestically to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers.

With tariffs shaping global trade, U.S. importers must adapt to an increasingly complex environment. This comprehensive guide explores current tariff mechanisms, including Section 301, Section 232, and IEEPA, highlighting the impact on businesses. As legal challenges and negotiations unfold, importers must proactively manage their tariff exposure, monitor regulatory developments, and optimize inventory strategies. Key tactics like accurate HTS classification, tariff forecasting, and using U.S. Foreign-Trade Zones (FTZs) can help mitigate risks and maintain cost competitiveness in 2025’s unpredictable market.

The new service, UPS Global Checkout, addresses issues consumers face when making global online purchases, particularly an additional bill for unpaid import costs, which UPS called “an unpleasant surprise.” To that end, the company explained that through UPS Global Checkout, UPS is able to guarantee upfront the amount being paid in duties, fees, and taxes by online shoppers, ridding them of unexpected costs upon delivery.