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There is a shortage of containers for US exporters in part due to seasonal volume increases but also due to Chinese regulations that have slowed container production. The new regulation which requires solvent-based paint on all containers became effective on April 1, 2017 and is still affecting container production speeds; this is putting pressure on carriers to get containers back to Asia for import loads. Kansas City has been hit the worst with the shortage, but Dallas, Denver, Memphis, and Chicago have also been significantly affected.  Demand for containers is so high in China, that carriers are shipping back containers empty which is magnifying the problem for US exporters. Additional details are available at: http://www.joc.com/maritime-news/container-lines/us-exporters-struggling-find-inland-containers_20170614.html This document is CONFIDENTIAL and contains PROPRIETARY information. It is solely for the use of the recipient.  Any further review, disclosure, copying, dissemination, distribution, or use of any of the information contained in this document is strictly prohibited.  The recipient shall be liable for damages resulting from any disclosure of this information to any third party. ©2017 Trans American Companies.

Section 232 investigation of steel imports would allow the U.S. to impose tariffs, quotas and other import restraints if the investigation determines that the imports endanger national security. The Department of Commerce (DOC) has recently posted comments it accepted through May 31 on Section 232.   The DOC comments are available at: https://www.commerce.gov/page/section-232-investigation-effect-imports-steel-us-national-security This document is CONFIDENTIAL and contains PROPRIETARY information. It is solely for the use of the recipient.  Any further review, disclosure, copying, dissemination, distribution, or use of any of the information contained in this document is strictly prohibited.  The recipient shall be liable for damages resulting from any disclosure of this information to any third party. ©2017 Trans American Companies.

U.S. rail regulators say they need more information before they can approve an $8 billion rail line between northwest Indiana and southeast Wisconsin. The rails primary purpose would be to bypass congestion in Chicago.  Union Pacific Railroad and Norfolk Southern Railway are opponents of the new line stating it does not fit into their current network and they would not use it. Additional details are available at: http://www.joc.com/rail-intermodal/class-i-railroads/norfolk-southern-railway/feds-delay-decision-new-rail-line-bypassing-chicago_20170602.html This document is CONFIDENTIAL and contains PROPRIETARY information. It is solely for the use of the recipient.  Any further review, disclosure, copying, dissemination, distribution, or use of any of the information contained in this document is strictly prohibited.  The recipient shall be liable for damages resulting from any disclosure of this information to any third party. ©2017 Trans American Companies.

A manufacturer/processor subject to the preventive controls (PC) requirements that uses imported raw materials or other ingredients may also be an importer covered by the Foreign Supplier Verification Programs (FSVP) rule. An FDA Fact Sheet on same is available at below link, under Supporting Material, “What to Do if You’re Cover by Both PC and FSVP Rules” PDF): https://www.fda.gov/food/guidanceregulation/fsma/ucm361902.htm This document is CONFIDENTIAL and contains PROPRIETARY information. It is solely for the use of the recipient.  Any further review, disclosure, copying, dissemination, distribution, or use of any of the information contained in this document is strictly prohibited.  The recipient shall be liable for damages resulting from any disclosure of this information to any third party. ©2017 Trans American Companies.

On June 14, the World Customs Organization released its most recent tariff classification rulings and changes to the Harmonized System (HS) Explanatory Notes from the HS Committee 59^th Session.  Decisions and changes for same are available at:  http://www.wcoomd.org/en/topics/nomenclature/instrument-and-tools/tools-to-assist-with-the-classification-in-the-hs/hs_classification-decisions/classification-decisions.aspx   This document is CONFIDENTIAL and contains PROPRIETARY information. It is solely for the use of the recipient.  Any further review, disclosure, copying, dissemination, distribution, or use of any of the information contained in this document is strictly prohibited.  The recipient shall be liable for damages resulting from any disclosure of this information to any third party. ©2017 Trans American Companies.

Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland spoke at the recent International Economic Forum of the Americas in Montreal. Ms. Freeland while speaking on a settlement with the U.S. on the softwood lumber issue said, “Our positions are still quite far apart, but I think that talking is always a good thing and that is something that we are doing very actively and energetically.”   Canadian Business: http://www.canadianbusiness.com/business-news/canada-and-u-s-remain-quite-far-apart-on-softwood-lumber-freeland-says/ This document is CONFIDENTIAL and contains PROPRIETARY information. It is solely for the use of the recipient.  Any further review, disclosure, copying, dissemination, distribution, or use of any of the information contained in this document is strictly prohibited.  The recipient shall be liable for damages resulting from any disclosure of this information to any third party. ©2017 Trans American Companies.