The US and China have agreed to reduce tariffs for 90 days, marking a  de-escalation in the trade war. The US will lower tariffs on Chinese goods to 30% from 145%, while China will reduce duties on US imports to 10% from 125%. The agreement, reached in Geneva, has boosted global stocks and the US dollar.

Foreign trade zones are experiencing a surge in popularity among US businesses seeking to navigate the financial impact of US tariffs. Established in the 1930s, these designated areas allow companies to store or assemble products without incurring immediate tariffs. Instead, tariffs are paid when the goods are shipped out to domestic buyers.

Latin American home improvement retailer Sodimac has chosen Orgill as its exclusive US distribution partner for hardline products as the Chile-based company aims to modernize its supply chain and enhance profitability. "We have become very agile in our ability to serve customers of all types and sizes, and we have set up systems that are scalable to meet a wide variety of customer needs," said Orgill President and CEO Boyden Moore. "We are very pleased to be able to leverage this agility and our core distribution competencies to partner with Sodimac as they continue to grow."

Major container shipping companies have suspended weekly routes between China and the US in response to tariffs on Chinese goods. The service cuts, affecting ports on the East, West and Gulf coasts, highlight the significant impact of the tariffs on trade, with a potential 25% drop in US container imports expected by July.

Companies should align supply chain technology investments with overall strategy, taking one of four focused approaches according to Suzie Petrusic, a senior director analyst at Gartner. Speaking at the Gartner Supply Chain Symposium, Petrusic explained the four approaches: deferment, which emphasizes efficiency and cautious tech adoption; durability, which links sustainability with risk management; decision-making, which centers on automation and real-time data; and design, which integrates customer perspectives into processes.

Global supply chains face a polycrisis, with the interconnected threats of cyberattacks, climate change and political turmoil, writes Pierre du Rostu, CEO of AXA Digital Commercial Platform. Investing in preventive measures for supply chains may initially be costly, but the European Investment Bank estimates that every Euro spent on prevention can save a company €5 to €7 in recovery costs.

Long-term brand building is becoming a significant advantage for marketers as AI commodifies performance marketing, writes Quality Meats' Joe Burns. While AI excels in precision tasks, creating a level playing field in short-term marketing, brand building thrives on ambiguity and creativity, offering a unique edge.

US retail sales were up again in April as consumers continued to stock up in anticipation of tariff impacts, with overall sales excluding automobiles and gasoline rising 0.72% from March and 6.76% year-over-year, according to the CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor. Sales rose in eight of the nine categories tracked, with electronics and appliance retailers and building and garden stores seeing the biggest month-over-month gains.

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