Borders, Burgers & Bargaining Chip

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Good morning! ☀️

You know it’s a weird day in logistics when pork diplomacy feels less messy than geopolitics. Here’s what’s sizzling:

1️⃣ U.S.–China trade tension just leveled up—but this time, it’s not tariffs. Beijing’s playing the “health and safety” card to block American goods. Strategic? Definitely. Subtle? Not really.
2️⃣ Over at the southern border, President Trump just gave the military the green light to take over federal land—raising fresh questions about what this means for cross-border freight, infrastructure, and supply chain security.
3️⃣ And in global meat news: while Americans love their burgers and nuggets, the rest of the world is Team Pork. That’s right—pigs are powering the planet’s protein supply (and a lot of reefer freight too).

Let’s slice through the headlines—hold the tariffs, extra bacon.

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“Openly share and talk to people about your idea. Use their lack of interest or doubt to fuel your motivation to make it happen.”

— Todd Garland, founder of BuySellAds

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When Politics Hijack the Supply Chain

Trade friction between the U.S. and China isn’t just about tariffs anymore—it’s getting sneakier. China’s been blocking U.S. goods like beef and LNG, not with sanctions, but with health and safety claims. Sound familiar? They pulled the same move with Canada’s canola after the Huawei arrest in 2018. The ban only lifted when the exec flew home.

Now, analysts say it’s déjà vu—this time in response to Trump’s tariff blitz. The twist? These moves are technically legal under global trade rules, giving China “plausible deniability” while still hitting back hard.

And the U.S.? Not squeaky clean either. (Hi, sugar policy 👀.)

✅ Why It Matters:
When science turns into a bargaining chip, logistics folks end up holding the bag. These “non-tariff” moves stall shipments, wreck contracts, and scramble routing strategies—fast.

🔥 Hot Take:
If trade gets weaponized, your bill of lading might as well come with a disclaimer.

📰 Full story via Politico

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Trucks, Troops, and Trade: What’s Happening at the Southern Border

Big shift coming out of Washington: President Trump just authorized the military to take control of key federal land along the U.S.–Mexico border. The memo gives troops power to detain undocumented immigrants and build out border barriers and surveillance infrastructure across parts of California, Arizona, and New Mexico.

✅ Why It Matters:

Because those same areas are critical freight corridors. If you move goods across Laredo, Nogales, or El Paso, this could mean more inspections, unexpected hold-ups, and rerouted loads.

The military’s role in civilian border enforcement is raising eyebrows—and potentially raising costs for those of us in logistics.

🔥 Hot Take:

When the boots show up, the trucks might slow down. Plan accordingly.

📰 Full story via The Guardian.

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Pork Reigns Supreme—Globally, at Least

When you think of meat in the U.S., your brain probably jumps to chicken nuggets or a juicy burger. But globally? Pork wears the protein crown. According to the USDA, pork makes up 36% of total meat consumption worldwide—outpacing chicken and beef.

China’s obsession with pork (think char siu, dumplings, sweet & sour everything) drives a huge chunk of that stat. South Korea’s all-in too—with pork belly and bulgogi on repeat. Even Italy’s holding strong with porchetta and prosciutto. The U.S. might rank pork third behind chicken and beef, but with our massive population, we’re still one of the top pork consumers globally.

✅ Why It Matters:

Pork’s dominance powers major cold chain logistics. From reefer freight to export compliance, protein shipping is a serious business. Trade hiccups, disease outbreaks, or shifts in demand? Those ripple hard.

🔥 Hot Take:

Global pork demand isn’t just a culinary trend—it’s a freight force.

Read more at Yahoo >

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