President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen have struck a major trade deal setting a 15% baseline tariff on EU goods and outlining $750 billion in EU energy purchases from the US and $600 billion in US investments. Though the two leaders differed on some specifics, the deal avoids a tariff escalation and is expected to bring relief to financial markets.

Global exports to the US are expected to fall by more than 46% by 2027 due to the new trade agreement with the EU, according to a simulator from the Observatory of Economic Complexity. Meanwhile, US exports are expected to rise by 12%. An analysis of trade data indicates IKEA is the top importer from the EU into the US, followed by Southern Glazer's Wine and Spirits, Continental Tire, Bosch and Dole Food.

Walmart is streamlining its various AI tools by consolidating them into four "super agents" aimed at customers, employees, engineers and suppliers and sellers, with each designed to integrate multiple background systems for a unified experience with features such as analytics and automated campaigns for suppliers. The so-called super agents are expected to increase operational efficiency, especially in inventory and supply chain management, by enhancing productivity, reducing costs, streamlining workflows, and supporting revenue growth.

Federal Reserve researchers estimate that the introduction of recent US tariffs will drive up trade compliance costs for US companies by 1.4% to 2.5% of the value of imported goods, resulting in an annual increase between $39 billion and $71 billion. These higher costs stem from stricter regulations and more complex documentation requirements. The Fed cautions that their figures likely represent a conservative estimate, as additional administrative burdens and risks of penalties may further increase the true cost of compliance.

Amazon's upcoming 2.8 million-square-foot robotic fulfillment center in Daytona Beach, Fla., aims to expedite delivery times using robots similar to Roomba vacuums. A tour of a similar Amazon facility in Orlando, Fla., showcases the efficiency of these robots, with the goal of processing and packaging items in less than 90 minutes from order placement.

A human-centered transformation approach in the supply chain environment remains crucial, particularly in high-risk industries, writes Geoff Goodman, change management leader at Avetta. While technology is often the focus of transformation efforts, true success depends on addressing the emotional journey of employees, Goodman writes.

Forrester's Budget Planning Guide 2026 advises B2B marketers to focus on resilience amid economic uncertainty by investing in the complete buyer lifecycle, recognizing the shift from solo buyers to buying groups and networks, and allocating more budget for retention and influencer relations. Forrester also recommends reallocating at least 15% of digital and content spend to enhance AI search discoverability.

US companies are bearing the brunt of President Donald Trump's tariff policies as the trade levies reach their highest levels in decades. Many importers are so far absorbing costs to avoid losing market share, but some companies have indicated they may raise prices in the coming months.

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