Trade could be about to hit the proverbial political fan as US election pressure is being brought to bear on institutions that regulate, including those that regulate commerce, by boosting shipping lines’ ability to challenge rules.
Trump’s radical reforms could put a spanner in US supply chains
Related:
The bridge collapse Tuesday that shut the Port of Baltimore and closed a major highway will cause weeks or months of transportation disruptions in the Mid-Atlantic region and accelerate a shift of cargo to the US West Coast as importers and exporters try to avoid potential bottlenecks at trade gateways from Boston to Miami.
Baltimore Bridge Fallout to Extend Coast-to-Coast in Cargo Shift
The Yemen-based militant group has said vessels from all countries except Israel and its allies will be allowed to pass through the Red Sea
Houthis pledge safe passage for Russian and Chinese ships
BREAKING Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said the Iranian-backed militants fired a large number of ballistic and naval missiles and drones at a U.S. flagged ship manned by US Merchant Marine sailors who were “providing support” to Israel. No update yet from the head of the US Merchant Marine, DOT Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
US Merchant Marine Sailors Were Target Of Houthi Attack
H/T: What is Going on With Shipping?
Related:
Greyhound Day: World War II Combat Tactics Return To The Red Sea
What is clear is that the US military has repeatedly warned ship owners and officers against sharing information with journalists, Wall Street analysts, and supply chain experts. While journalists and supply chains may be under-reporting the issue, ship owners are sharing more alarming stories among themselves. This information asymmetry could lead to more ships avoiding the region, while freight forwarders, cargo brokers, and other professionals further down the supply chain may be unprepared for the full extent of the delays.
Britain will ramp up its training programme for Ukrainian soldiers under plans being discussed with military chiefs, the new Defence Secretary has disclosed.
In an interview with The Telegraph, Grant Shapps said that he had held talks with Army leaders about moving “more training and production” of military equipment into Ukraine. He also called on more British defence firms to set up factories in Ukraine.
Grant Shapps to ramp up support for Volodymyr Zelensky
Citigroup, the American multinational investment bank and financial services corporation, has become the latest firm to wade into the blockchain waters as Citi Treasury and Trade Solutions (TTS) has announced the creation and pilot testing of the Citi Token Services for cash management and trade finance.
Citi launches blockchain-based token services for cash management and trade finance
The House of Representatives is discussing a move that would effectively amount to an act of war if carried out: a naval blockade on China.
House Republicans Propose The Study Of An Oil Naval Blockade Of China
The following is outdated, especially considering the problems with the US Navy’s LCS ships, but I thought that the bold quote was interesting. I highly doubt that Russia would ever submit to the US!
Related:
[2013] Stranglehold: The Context, Conduct and Consequences of an American Naval Blockade of China
In short, Russia would not only be China’s best hope of overcoming an American blockade, but it would also be the United States’ key to closing China’s transit route through Central Asia and preventing China’s two neighboring oil producers from supplying it with petroleum. In an American blockade of China, Russia’s importance as a swing state cannot be overstated, as is borne out by the observation that “no blockade of China in history has succeeded without Russian acquiescence.”
“Our research shows just how far railroad executives will go to funnel record profits to their shareholders—even if that means stagnant wages, inhumane attendance policies, and throwing our supply chain into further turmoil,” said one Groundwork Collaborative analyst.
While Fighting Workers, Railroads Made Over $10 Billion in Stock Buybacks
H/T: Unorthodox Truth
“It staggers the imagination that in September 2022 the workers who keep the trains running did not have even one sick day to care for themselves.”
Railway Workers Fight Shows Need for Paid Sick and Family Leave, Says Economist
Related:
Live updates: Railroad workers livid over deal brokered by Biden and unions to prevent strike
April 01, 2022 – Moon of Alabama
The European Union and China will hold a virtual summit today. Before the summit started Brussels has strewn rumors that it would pressure China to not support Russia.
China is of course rejecting any pressure and retaliates by pointing out Europe’s weak strategic autonomy:
Europe Must Learn To Cheat On Its Sanctions (Just Like The U.S. Is Doing It)
Comment by the Author of The New Dark Age:
Has the EU really been ‘captured’by the US? I think not! The major European powers, Germany, France, Italy and Holland (along with the UK), are an integral part of the Imperialist Bloc. When you talk about their interests being harmed, you are conflating the interests of the capitalist classes (and their essential servants) with those of the working people of these countries. Since when have the ruling classes of the Imperialists given a flying fuck about their working classes! They have vast amounts of capital, they’re not touched by the any of it, anymore than by the fake Pandemic. As with ‘traditional’ wars fought by capitalism, this is just another kind of war and as with traditional wars, it’s not only about markets and competing capitalist classes, it’s about destroying capital! It’s just as much a World War as the previous ones, but fought in an entirely different way, using different weapons. It has consumed (or is on the process of consuming) even more surplus capital than WWI/II, you just don’t see it! When will the left wise up? They got conned by the Bug and they’re now being conned by the Sanctions War on the planet!
The New Dark Age
Ms. Cat’s Chronicles 