M.E. Dey & Co.’s Post

The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) yesterday announced that it is opening a process for interested persons to request that certain machinery be temporarily excluded from Section 301 duties in the Investigation of China’s Acts, Policies, and Practices Related to Technology Transfer, Intellectual Property, and Innovation. More information at the link.

In the latest episode of #TalkingTrade, AgTrade CEO Robert Bishop offers insights on the global livestock market. Bishop, who is also the president of the Livestock Exporters Association, discusses the latest developments related to an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza.

The International Longshoremen's Association port strike last week at East Coast and Gulf Coast ports didn't cause a major shift in trucking freight prices, but analysts report it is still having lasting impacts on the logistics industry.

The port strike is over! The strike affecting East Coast and Gulf Coast ports has officially ended as of late Thursday. The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA), and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) have reached a tentative agreement on wages. More at the link: bit.ly/3ZMb7SM

Dockworkers walked off the job early Tuesday morning at 36 major ports across the U.S. East and Gulf coasts, marking the first strike of its kind in nearly 50 years. This stoppage halts nearly half of all U.S. trade, affecting vital imports such as automobiles, consumer electronics, and furniture, though energy and bulk cargo remain largely unaffected. Coverage of the strike and more supply chain and logistics news in the October edition of the #DeyTimes. Read here: bit.ly/3N7PTr2

The following ports will close early due to the upcoming ILA strike: New York: PNCT will close at 2:00 pm, PCT Maher is expected to close between 1:00 – 2:00 pm, and Liberty is expected to close between 1:00 – 2:00 pm Boston: Closing 4:15 pm Norfolk: Closing noon Charleston: Closing 5:00 pm Savannah: Closing 5:30 pm Miami: Closing 4:00 pm Houston: Closing 4:00 pm We will keep you posted as more information becomes available.

The strikes continue. Dockworkers at the Port of Montreal have approved a strike mandate after more than a year of contract negotiations. Longshore workers voted 97.9% in favor of granting their union executive the authority to call a strike if it chooses.

The United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) has filed an unfair labor practice with the National Labor Relations Board requesting "immediate injunctive relief — requiring the union to resume bargaining — so we can negotiate a deal," the alliance said today.

The U.S. supply chain is bracing for a major disruption should the ILA decide to strike on October 1. Negotiations are currently at a standstill with several issues remaining unsolved including wages, job security protections, and port automation. This story and more in this week's #supplychain update: bit.ly/3zvFHVV

U.S. President Joe Biden does not intend to invoke a federal law to prevent a port strike on the East Coast and Gulf of Mexico if dockworkers fail to secure a new labor contract by an Oct. 1 deadline, an administration official said on Tuesday.