The US plans to remove tariffs on certain products from Argentina, Ecuador, Guatemala and El Salvador, with a focus on food items that are not grown in the US. The agreements are expected to be finalized within two weeks and will likely include commitments to refrain from imposing digital services taxes on US companies.

ABC Supply has acquired Roofing Supply - Houston, marking its 58th location in Texas. Roofing Supply, which has been a key partner for residential builders and contractors in Houston since 2019. will continue to operate under the ABC Supply brand, with former owners Darren Breaux and Jeff Smejkal remaining in leadership roles.

Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern shareholders have approved an $85 billion merger to create the first coast-to-coast freight rail operator in the US, but regulatory clearance is still required. President Donald Trump has expressed support for the merger, which is expected to significantly reshape the movement of goods across the country.

Ninety percent of warehouse workers do not see automation as a hiring barrier, and 63% report higher job satisfaction when working alongside automation, according to a report by Exotec. The survey also shows that automation has reduced stress and physical strain, with 85% of respondents feeling more productive. In addition, 70% of workers say automation reduces stress during busy seasons.

Tariffs and inflation are significantly affecting home improvement spending this year, with consumers focusing more on necessity purchases rather than discretionary projects, according to research from the Home Improvement Research Institute and OpenBrand. Consumers are also delaying purchases due to higher prices and are more inclined to buy American-made products. While major appliance prices are expected to ease, outdoor power equipment prices are likely to remain high due to sustained renovation activity.

Frontline sales talent often goes undervalued in distribution and is seen as a controllable cost, but investing in this talent group is a critical lever for distributor growth, writes sales expert Mike Kunkle. Skilled and well-developed sales professionals are important to building trust with increasingly informed and skeptical buyers. Distributors can fund talent development through strategic pricing and operational efficiencies, while automation can free up resources for sales training and coaching, Kunkle argues.

LinkedIn has introduced an AI-powered conversational search feature that allows users to find members, pages and posts using natural language queries. The tool, currently available to US Premium subscribers, aims to simplify searches and provide more relevant results, similar to a feature for job seekers introduced in May.

The National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors has filed a lawsuit challenging Oregon's extended producer responsibility law, arguing that it violates the Constitution by creating a private regulatory regime that burdens interstate commerce. The law requires producers to join a single producer responsibility organization, Circular Action Alliance, which sets fees and regulatory requirements. The outcome of this case could have a significant impact on EPR laws across the country.

The complexity of President Donald Trump's tariff regime has become a major challenge for businesses, driving up costs and complicating operations. The new system replaces a uniform tariff structure with varying rates based on the origin of goods, forcing companies to invest heavily in compliance and divert resources from innovation and growth. A KPMG survey finds that 89% of CEOs expect tariffs to significantly impact business performance, with many planning to raise prices to offset costs.

Leadership during the age of AI will belong to those who can use the technology as a tool without losing sight of the limitations of AI, writes Naphtali Hoff, an executive coach. "The leaders who thrive long-term will be those who wield AI responsibly -- ensuring it amplifies human potential rather than erodes it," Hoff writes.

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