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The trade deficit was partly to blame for the hit to GDP. But there's a silver lining.

Apr 28, 2022
Global turmoil put a cap on U.S. exports, while the easing of supply chain snags allowed Americans to import more.
More imports and fewer exports caused a slight dip in GDP, but that's giving the supply chain a chance to recover.
Mario Tama/Getty Images

Trade deals improve relations with U.S. allies — gradually

Mar 23, 2022
A new trade deal with the U.K. will erase Trump-era tariffs on steel and aluminum imported into the U.S., and motorcycles and whiskey exported to the U.K.
Paul Ellis/AFP via Getty Images

Some small businesses see silver linings in the janky supply chain

Dec 8, 2021
Smaller companies are more nimble than big department stores, allowing them to take advantage of the situation.
The congested supply chain has a lot of businesses scrambling. In some cases, that’s opened up opportunities for smaller, more nimble operators to fill in the gaps.
Mario Tama via Getty Images

What's behind the jump in U.S. exports?

Dec 7, 2021
Hurricane Ida held back oil and gas exports in September, so there was a big backlog that rushed out in October, shrinking the trade deficit.
U.S. manufacturers are stepping in to meet global demand as other countries may just be starting to reactivate their industries. Above, a truck passes shipping containers at the Port of Los Angeles.
Mario Tama via Getty Images

Brexit import changes are still painful for London honey seller after 2 years

Dec 7, 2021
After a strong summer, a London honey seller is dealing with the coronavirus omicron variant and changing trade policy on animal goods.
A beekeeper in northwestern Italy. New laws governing imports of animal byproducts in the United Kingdom go into effect in January.
Marco Bertorello/AFP via Getty Images

To avoid price hikes, businesses are finding other ways to protect their margins

Nov 17, 2021
Some are cutting hours and reducing inventory. Others are purchasing more to get better deals from suppliers.
Some stores are stocking fewer items or reducing their hours to deal with rising costs. Other businesses are creating new purchasing, storage or delivery strategies.
Ralph Orlowski/Getty Images

With shipping costs sky-high, is importing products even worth it?

Nov 8, 2021
For some businesses, the answer is no, but it depends on the value of the product in question.
With costly manufacturing and delayed shipping timelines, the value of certain products is shifting in the eyes of retailers. Above, people watch a container ship at the Port of Los Angeles.
Mario Tama via Getty Images

For public good, not for profit.

Why everything is “out of stock” right now

Oct 11, 2021
Four charts and a new series to help you understand ongoing product shortages.
Patrick Baranic, general manager of the Marine Exchange of Southern California, discusses the delays at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach with “Marketplace’s” Kai Ryssdal.
Maria Hollenhorst/Marketplace

Trade is still a mess, and that's keeping this customs broker busy

Jul 30, 2021
Gretchen Blough, a customs broker at Logistics Plus in Erie, Pennsylvania, said that the ships, trucks, tariffs and supply shortages are peppering the shipping industry.
Containers stacked in the Port of Los Angeles on April 19, 2021.
Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images

In London's Borough Market, importing is a "roller coaster" after Brexit

Jun 14, 2021
Britain's departure from the EU created a new trade regime for British businesses. A honey seller describes her importing experience.
Beekeepers harvesting honey. "We pay tariffs to Italy, to let our products out of Italy," says Samantha Wallace. "And then we pay a tariff to the U.K., which is quite ironic, as a U.K. business."
Marco Bertorello/AFP via Getty Images