US companies are accelerating shipments from China following a temporary easing of tariffs, which dropped from 145% to 30% for 90 days. While some firms scramble to get goods into US ports before the situation changes, prices remain elevated due to tariffs, and many firms are adopting a more long-term approach that shifts production to other countries.

The House Ways and Means Committee has unveiled its long-awaited draft tax bill, including key provisions such as expanding the SALT deduction and reducing some green energy tax incentives, reflecting priorities from the Trump administration. The tax exemption for municipal bonds remains untouched, easing market fears after months of speculation. Industry groups welcomed the news but warned that ongoing negotiations, specifically over SALT deduction, could still reshape the final legislation.

The National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors has expressed support for tax legislation introduced by the House Ways and Means Committee, highlighting its benefits for small businesses, workers and families. NAW notes the bill includes making permanent key provisions from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, such as the 199A deduction, as well as restoring 100% bonus depreciation and immediate deduction of research and development expenditures.

The consumer price index rose 0.2% in April from the prior month and 2.3% from a year earlier, according to the Labor Department. The annual inflation rate is the lowest since February 2021. A core measure that strips out food and energy climbed 0.2% for the month and 2.8% on a year-over-year basis.

Cargo theft in the US increased 26% in 2024, with nearly 3,798 cases and reported losses approaching $455 million, according to Verisk CargoNet, though experts estimate actual losses could be $1 billion or more. Thieves driven by criminal networks from the US and abroad are using technology to impersonate legitimate companies, and these low-risk, high-reward strategic thefts are causing financial losses across the supply chain, industry experts say. Lawmakers are considering measures to combat the problem.

Supply chains are increasingly vulnerable to interconnected risks such as geopolitical instability, cyberattacks and extreme weather, and traditional risk management approaches that treat threats in isolation are not enough, writes Pierre du Rostu, CEO of AXA Digital Commercial Platform. Insurers are investing in technology to track vulnerabilities and provide real-time insights, emphasizing the importance of prevention-based insurance to mitigate these risks, du Rostu writes.

SMS marketing is shifting from transactional messages to meaningful engagement, with projections estimating the spend will hit $9.96 billion by 2030, writes Josh Rosenheck of Community. Brands are expected to balance AI and human interaction, use premium messaging platforms and emphasize brand verification to build trust and loyalty.

Successful AI integration requires effective change management to ensure employees adapt to new technologies, writes Tamarah Verhoog, a senior consultant at Valcon. Verhoog emphasizes the importance of storytelling, training and transparency to address concerns and build confidence, noting that organizations that prioritize people in their AI journey can achieve sustainable adoption and maximize the technology's potential.

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