Coming new drawback processes under the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act (see 1802120020) are the source of "considerable concern," said Steven Baker, a lawyer who chairs the Customs Committee of the American Institute for International Steel, in a blog post. While the drawback processing is set to move to ACE on Feb. 24, "not all functions are supported in ACE, and as of this writing no regulations have been issued," Baker said.

FedEx Trade Networks recently instituted a new organization structure for "specialty logistics and e-commerce solutions," it said in a news release. Several companies will be realigned under FedEx Trade Networks, it said. This new organization will now include: FedEx Custom Critical, FedEx Cross Border, FedEx Supply Chain, FedEx Trade Networks Transport and Brokerage, and a new company called FedEx Forward Depots. FedEx Forward Depots will have "responsibility for Critical Inventory and Service Parts Logistics, 3-D Printing, Repair Center and the FedEx Packaging Lab," it said.

The Airforwarders Association signed a memorandum of understanding with The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA), AfA said in a news release. The memorandum includes shared participation in each other's events, "exchange of information on projected activities and relevant events of both associations," and "continuous consultation," AfA said.

The U.S. Council of International Business will "continue to oppose policies that handicap U.S. trade" in 2018, the USCIB said in its trade agenda. Among those policies are a "lack of clear standards at U.S. customs for forced labor," it said. The trade group will also "urge the Administration not to introduce new proposals in NAFTA that will weaken existing provisions or negate the benefits that U.S. companies derive from the U.S. being part of NAFTA," it said. USCIB will push for trade deals with the EU and Asian countries "to ensure that American goods and services companies have open and fair access to the markets in the Asia-Pacific."

Maersk and IBM will form a joint venture meant to "provide more efficient and secure methods for conducting global trade using blockchain technology," the companies said in a Jan. 16 blog post. The new company will work to develop a new platform to "provide end-to-end supply chain visibility that enables all actors involved in a global shipping transaction to securely and seamlessly exchange shipment events in real time," it said. The platform will also "digitize and automate paperwork filings for the import and export of goods by enabling end users to securely submit, stamp and approve documents across national and organizational boundaries."

The Delta Cargo warehouse at JFK Airport in New York will be closed until Jan. 11 due to "operational challenges and safety concerns related to the recent severe winter weather in the Northeast," the company said in an alert. "As our team works to resume normal operations, Delta Cargo is working closely with our JV partners to process freight through partner facilities at JFK," it said.

The U.S. should look at strengthening existing trading partnerships rather than consider leaving them, U.S. Chamber of Commerce CEO Thomas Donohue said in a Jan. 10 speech. "Withdrawing from NAFTA would be a grave mistake," he said. While recent deregulatory moves and tax reform are good, "a wrong move on NAFTA would send us five steps back," he said. That's also true of the FTA with South Korea, he said. "We agree that in some areas the Koreans need to do more to faithfully implement the deal," Donohue said. "But overturning it would hurt American farmers and manufacturers -- and benefit only our foreign competitors." There are opportunities for trade growth, particularly with India, the Middle East and Africa, he said. "We need to clinch new deals that will open markets -- not undermine the ones we have."

CH Powell acquired The Irwin Brown Company at the beginning of the year, Irwin Brown said in a notice on its website. Irwin Brown is headquartered in New Orleans and has an office along the Gulf Coast. "This acquisition allows CH Powell Company to expand its import brokerage services in this important region," CH Powell said in an emailed news release. "With growing trade in Central and South America and the continual growth of imports from Asia to the Gulf, CH Powell and the Irwin Brown team are well positioned to expand its national and international foot print." The deal "was initiated by the retirement of Shelly Bernstein, Irwin Brown’s president," CH Powell said.

Sobel Shipping and Network Brokers International will merge, forming Sobel Network Shipping, the companies said in a news release. Among other offerings, Sobel Network Shipping will be a "nationally permitted Customs broker employing six highly experienced Customs brokers," it said.

The expiration of Generalized System of Preferences benefits at the end of 2017 are estimated to cost U.S. companies between $2.5 million and $3 million per day, the Coalition for GSP said on its website. "It is critical that importers continue claiming GSP for eligible products despite the expiration," said the group, which advocates for GSP beneficiaries in the U.S. "Companies must pay the taxes, but claiming GSP now will help expedite any refund process assuming Congress renews GSP retroactively. In the event of a prolonged expiration, it also will ensure that the Coalition does not underestimate costs of expiration, which are based on claimed imports." House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady, R-Texas, recently said GSP renewal is an early priority for 2018 (see 1712210029). CBP provided instructions for GSP filers following expiration last month (see 1712200005).