NRF Organizes New Appeal for ILA Deal – International Longshoreman’s Association (ILA) President Harold Daggett and other union officials walked out of negotiations on Wednesday concerning local issues at the Port of New York and New Jersey, a key element to settlement on the coast wide contract agreement. In response, the National Retail Federation (NRF) organized a letter compiled by more than 120 businesses appealing to the ILA and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) to agree on a contract before the additional 30-day extension expires.
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Gerald Desmond Bridge to be Replaced – The Gerald Desmond bridge connects the Port of Long Beach to the mainland and aids in the transportation of more than 10 percent of goods and materials that enter the United States. After 44 years, the bridge is going to be replaced. The new bridge will be wider, 50-60 feet taller, and in effect, more accessible to today’s cargo vessels and volume of imports and exports passing through the port.
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US, Canadian Customs Revise Border Clearance Value Threshold – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) have revised the value thresholds for expedited customs clearance under the U.S.-Canada Beyond the Border Action Plan to $2,500. The increase will allow 1.5 million shipments to be cleared on the day of arrival rather than being held in customs. Previous levels were $2,000 in the U.S. and $1,600 in Canada.
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EU, Japan Discuss Removal of Trade Barriers – Formal trade talks between Japan and the European Union (EU) have been officially announced by the European Commission. However, Brussels’ directorate general for trade has reiterated that unless Japan makes an effort to remove non-tariff barriers the talks will not succeed.
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