Trump Trade Deals: Here's Why Autos Are a Sticking Point for Japan
'The auto industry is our core industry. Without an agreement between Japan and the U.S. on that, there can be no agreement on an overall package,' said Ryosei Akazawa, Japan's top trade negotiator.
Automobiles account for nearly 30% of Japan's U.S.-bound exports and are central to employment and industrial output. Go deeper:
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Yahoo
2 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Warehouse data reveals how shippers managed inventory through tariffs
In the first half of 2025, SC Codeworks' freight activity data revealed the disruptive impact of tariffs on shipping patterns, marking a period of unpredictability for businesses involved in international trade. As shippers anticipated impending cost increases from tariffs, they adopted new strategies that emphasized consolidation of inventories and a subsequent slowdown in import activities. SC Codeworks, a leader in warehouse management systems, specializes in providing solutions for third-party logistics (3PL) companies operating warehouses. These 3PLs, an essential component of global supply chains, cater to a diverse array of shippers, giving SC Codeworks extensive insight into market trends. The company's systems facilitate seamless integration with major enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, offering flexibility and real-time data solutions crucial in periods of economic transition. Throughout early 2025, the logistics landscape underwent a substantial shift as tariff threats loomed large. According to SC Codeworks' data, March witnessed a 32.2% surge in units shipped compared to the previous year, even as the overall order count dropped by over 20%. This paradox of fewer orders yet more shipped units pointed to a clear trend: shippers were opting for fewer, but fuller loads, reflecting a strategic pivot toward consolidation—a move designed to optimize freight costs ahead of tariff implementations. March and June stood out as particularly active months, characterized by a spike in shipping volumes as importers consolidated their shipments preemptively. A temporary pause announced in early April offered a brief respite, leading to an easing in activities in the subsequent weeks. This back-and-forth underscored the volatility that has come to define the period, with traditional seasonal planning replaced by responsive, ad-hoc strategies driven by the shifting tariff landscape. The data from SC Codeworks also highlighted a notable 63.7% year-over-year increase in monthly order volatility, showcasing a market grappling with uncertainty and rapid fluctuations in demand. Many importers began holding more inventory to mitigate disruptions, evidenced by a 4% year-over-year increase in average on-hand inventory levels across their facilities. Navigating this volatile environment, the robust capabilities provided by SC Codeworks' Warehouse Management System (WMS) became indispensable for 3PL companies. With tools designed to track inventory movement within facilities, manage yard and trailer flows, and accommodate various data transmission methods like EDI and API, their system ensured that businesses could maintain operational efficiency even in unpredictable conditions. As tariffs continue to roil global supply chains, the SC Codeworks data emphasizes the necessity for dynamic planning tools that can respond in real-time to external shocks. 3PLs equipped with such technologies are likely to maintain a competitive edge, leveraging data-driven insights to adapt to market demands swiftly. The first half of 2025 has been a testament to the resilience and adaptability required in modern logistics, with SC Codeworks playing a role in supporting businesses through challenging market conditions. The post Warehouse data reveals how shippers managed inventory through tariffs appeared first on FreightWaves.
Associated Press
4 minutes ago
- Associated Press
The 35th Food Expo and Concurrent Fairs Attract Over 500,000 Visits
Multiple offers and theme days boost consumption and traffic - The Food Expo, Food Expo PRO, Hong Kong International Tea Fair, Beauty & Wellness Expo, and Home Delights Expo successfully concluded today, bringing together approximately 1,890 exhibitors and welcoming over 500,000 visits. - The per capital spending across the five fairs reached HK$1,630. - 48% of respondents believe that health, green and organic food trends are worth paying attention to. Halal food and beverage label at the expo helps promote the development of halal foods. - The five theme days, along with a series of exciting activities effectively boosted local consumption and created a bustling atmosphere. - The International Conference of the Modernization of Chinese Medicine and Health Products (ICMCM) featured 21 prominent speakers who shared innovative achievements and development trends in the globalisation of Chinese medicine. HONG KONG - August 18, 2025 ( NEWMEDIAWIRE ) - Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the Food Expo, Beauty & Wellness Expo, and Home Delights Expo successfully concluded today. Food Expo PRO and the Hong Kong International Tea Fair, which opened to both industry professionals and the public for the first time, wrapped up successfully on 16 August. The five exhibitions featured some 1,890 exhibitors and attracted over 500,000 visits. The bustling atmosphere resulted in a per capita spending of HK$1,630, once again demonstrating the appeal of this annual event and the public's purchasing power. Over at Food Expo PRO and the Hong Kong International Tea Fair, there were some 18,500 buyers from 64 countries and regions. Apart from Hong Kong, buyers came from Mainland China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, as well as ASEAN countries, including Cambodia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam, among others, highlighting Hong Kong's significant role as a key food trade hub globally. Additionally, the International Conference of the Modernization of Chinese Medicine and Health Products, organised by the Modernized Chinese Medicine International Association (MCMIA) together with the HKTDC and ten scientific research institutions, also concluded successfully on 15 August. Sophia Chong, HKTDC Deputy Executive Director, stated: 'This year, the event featured five major themes across several exhibitions, complemented by a variety of exciting activities that encouraged people to spend locally. The atmosphere was vibrant, fully reflecting the public's enthusiasm for gourmet food and trendy products. Due to weather conditions on the first day, the opening hours of the public fairs from Friday to Sunday were extended to provide exhibitors with greater opportunities to maximise sales and enhance visitor experiences. The Hong Kong International Tea Fair, which opened to the public over all three days for the first time, attracted significant attention and praise.' Despite challenges from sluggish trade in traditional markets and geopolitical challenges, the HKTDC has consistently focused on driving innovation, helping small and medium-sized enterprises seize global development trends, and creating opportunities through innovative and flexible thinking. Ms Chong added: 'At this year's Food Expo and Food Expo PRO, we specifically curated products and services related to halal food, the silver economy, and food technology to meet emerging market demands and capture more business opportunities for exhibitors. We are pleased to see that the five exhibitions successfully generated more business for exhibitors, and the public enjoyed the culinary and shopping experience fully.' Per capita spending reached HK$1,630; increased interest in halal foods During the exhibition, the organisers conducted a random sampling survey, interviewing some 1,440 visitors. The per capita spending reached HK$1,630. Over 58% of respondents reported spending HK$1,000 or more at the exhibition, and over 30% indicated that their actual spending exceeded their original budget, demonstrating a strong and thriving consumption atmosphere during the event. The survey results also showed respondents believe that health, green and organic food (48%), and nutritional supplements (36%) trends are worth paying attention to. Among the respondents who are aware that the exhibition has a halal food and beverage label, more than half of the respondents (52%) believe it helps promote the development of halal foods. Vibrant consumption at the exhibition: encouraging sales performance As a highly anticipated annual event in the city, the Food Expo is dedicated to highlighting exquisite delicacies and fine wines from around the world. Director of exhibitor Yick Cheong Ho (HK) Limited, Joan Chui, stated that the Flavours of Intangible Cultural Heritage theme day has drawn extra interest and expected revenue of approximately HK$900,000. Some exhibitors are further expanding their business through the Food Expo. Huaying Lei, the chairman of Mayang Blue Phoenix Agricultural Development Co., Ltd from Mainland China stated that the company had signed a RMB60 million contract with a Hong Kong client for agri-products including high-quality edible eggs. Lei believed the Food Expo offers a perfect platform to showcase their wide-ranging products from Hunan Province. The concurrently held Beauty & Wellness Expo offered visitors a diverse range of premium products, with brand Mars, a Taiwan whey protein brand, the brand marketing manager Roy Wong said, 'This year, the visitor traffic exceeded our expectations and we expect our on-site sales will increase by 30% to HK$200,000.' The Home Delights Expo showcased a variety of trendy household items and furniture. Andy Tsang, the design director of Renovation Guide Consultant Limited - specialising in interior design and decoration and participating in the expo for the first time - said, 'Such a large number of new customers visiting our booth went above and beyond our expectations. We provided quotations to over 20 new clients, and we estimate that sales turnover will be around HK$2-3 million.' Trade exhibitions expand business networks; thriving opportunities in halal food The 3rd Food Expo PRO and the 35th Food Expo introduced halal food and beverage label last year to help exhibitors expand their market for halal products. This year, more than 120 food suppliers showcased halal products from around the world, a 20% increase compared to last year. Daniel Chan, Director of Hong Kong exhibitor, Koon Chun Hing Kee Soy & Sauce Factory Ltd., said the company had seen many buyers from different countries and regions and discussed cooperations with five Mainland China and local distributors and restaurants and also met a buyer from Indonesia through the Click2Match platform. The new 'Coffee' zone also debuted this year, showcasing coffee products, accessories, and machines from various origins. Jin Lu, Operations Director of CSFA Holdings Shanghai Co. Ltd., stated that the company has engaged with nine exhibitors from Mainland China, the U.S., South Korea, and other regions. The company is interested in placing a coffee beans order of approximately 50 metric tons (worth around RMB3 million) from a Yunnan-based supplier, as well as a RMB700,000 order for premium hairtail fish from a Korea exhibitor. The highlight zone, 'Food Science and Technology,' brought alternative and future food to the attention of professional buyers. My Care Healthcare Limited, a manufacturer of modified soft diet products for the elderly. Founder Francis Ho said they had discussions with nearly 120 buyers on the first day. On the last day of the fair, HKTDC arranged specialised medical industry buyer tours of which there were two potential buyers and the company is in talks with two hospitals to discuss the potential of supplying soft meals to them. The Okinawa Prefectural Government Hong Kong Representative Office organised four Okinawan companies to participate in the Food Expo PRO and successfully connected with buyers from Hong Kong, Mainland China, and international markets. Director Yasutoshi Nohara stated the fair helps them generate around HK$4 million in orders every year. Mr Nohara said the expo has been instrumental in providing them with a great opportunity, particularly to introduce Okinawan products in the Greater Bay Area and expand beyond Hong Kong with items that have not been shown in other markets before, such as soft shell turtle and Motobu beef. Sichuan Sentaiyuan Biotechnology Co., Ltd. has participated in the Food Expo PRO for four consecutive years, promoting healthy products. The company's CEO, Liu Lei shared, 'On the first day of the Expo, we met a long-time Hong Kong client in person for the first time, leading to a successful deal worth over US$5 million. The HKTDC also introduced several potential buyers from Japan, Singapore, and other regions and we expect deals to be finalised soon.' Mr Lei also mentioned that through the Sourcing platform, the company received around 30 inquiries before the expo and arranged on-site meetings with several clients. The 'EXHIBITION+' hybrid model has significantly boosted the company's visibility and secure more business opportunities. The Hong Kong International Tea Fair opened to trade and public visitors on all three days for the first time. Yip Wing-chi, Founder of exhibitor, Lock Cha Tea House, welcomed this arrangement and noted that there was a significant increase in traffic, creating a lively atmosphere. The public participation has effectively boosted business. Mr Yip said this year's sales were three times higher than last year. Hybrid model connecting local and overseas opportunities This year, both Food Expo PRO and the Hong Kong International Tea Fair continued to adopt the EXHIBITION+ hybrid model, enabling global food and tea buyers to engage in business discussions through both physical exhibitions and online platforms. Until 23 August, exhibitors and buyers can still utilise the 'Click2Match' smart matching platform for online discussion and to explore business opportunities. Chinese Medicine Conference Gathers Experts and Scholars to Promote Industry Exchange The International Conference of the Modernization of Chinese Medicine and Health Products, organised by the Modernized Chinese Medicine International Association in partnership with the HKTDC and ten scientific research institutions, has successfully concluded. The conference unveiled the latest professional information on traditional Chinese medicine and shared innovative achievements and development trends in the globalisation of Chinese medicine. Held concurrently with the Food Expo, Beauty & Wellness Expo, Home Delights Expo, Food Expo PRO, and the Hong Kong International Tea Fair, the event covered diverse fields such as food, beauty, health, home products, and Chinese medicine, successfully creating a synergistic effect, providing a broad platform for industry exchange. Photo download: To learn more about the opinions of exhibitors and buyers, please visit: Media Enquiries Ogilvy Public Relations: HKTDC's Communications and Public Affairs Department: Media Room: About HKTDC The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong's trade. With over 50 offices globally, including 13 in Mainland China, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub. The HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to create business opportunities for companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the mainland and international markets. The HKTDC also provides up-to-date market insights and product information via research reports and digital news channels.
Forbes
4 minutes ago
- Forbes
The Original Internet: Maritime Networks Predict AI's Impact On Work
Introduction: The Original Internet of Maritime Networks When we think about today's digital transformation, powered by artificial intelligence, we often imagine it as unprecedented. In reality, humanity has been here before. In the 15th and 16th centuries, maritime networks functioned as the 'original internet.' Caravels, carracks, compasses, and portolan charts connected continents, accelerated commerce, and transformed how people worked and created value. Much like our cloud servers and undersea cables today, these maritime innovations formed a global communications network. They reduced the time it took for information, goods, and people to cross the world—from years to months—and in the process unleashed profound changes in economics, governance, and human capital. The lesson for us in the AI era is clear: technology alone is never enough. Value creation depends on the systems, governance, and workforce skills that surround it. How Maritime Innovation Transformed Work and Value Creation Between 1400 and 1700, trade volumes increased tenfold. European prices for Asian spices dropped by as much as 70% because shipping routes became faster and more efficient. Port cities like Amsterdam grew by 400%, becoming thriving economic hubs. This boom reshaped the workforce. Navigators, cartographers, naval architects, and insurance underwriters became essential professions. Traditional roles—local traders, craftsmen, and feudal lords—had to adapt or risk irrelevance. Guilds and new institutions such as Portugal's schools of seamanship and Spain's Casa de Contratación standardized skills and created certification pathways. These were the original workforce development programs. At the same time, new business models emerged. The Dutch East India Company, often described as the first 'tech unicorn,' scaled global operations by pioneering standardized processes, inventing modern stock exchanges, and compensating employees with a mix of wages and profit shares. Maritime networks were not just about ships—they redefined work and value creation at every level. From Ships to Servers: Parallels With Today's AI Revolution Fast forward to today. Undersea cables now carry 95% of international data traffic, acting as the backbone of the digital economy. Cloud servers process information at a speed unimaginable in the maritime era. And artificial intelligence is becoming the new foundational technology, with McKinsey estimating AI could add between $2.6 and $4.4 trillion in global economic value annually. The parallels are striking. Ships connected continents; AI connects data and decisions. Maritime technology reshaped global trade; AI is reshaping industries from finance to healthcare. The same pattern holds: foundational technologies create waves of reinvention across business models, organizational structures, and workforce skills. Ecosystems, Not Tools, Drive Lasting Transformation The Portuguese had superior ships, but it was the Dutch who built the most resilient ecosystem—financing mechanisms, legal codes, insurance markets, and training institutions—that enabled them to dominate global trade. Similarly, AI adoption will not depend solely on deploying powerful models. Organizations need ecosystems: governance frameworks that manage ethical risks, data infrastructure that ensures reliability, and workforce training that builds human capability. Forbes recently noted that companies succeeding with AI are those that treat it as an ecosystem investment—integrating governance, skills, and cross-functional leadership rather than a technology project alone. Balancing Policy, Risk, and Opportunity in the Age of AI Thriving maritime nations balanced disruption with opportunity. England's Navigation Acts protected domestic shipping while supporting global trade expansion. Dutch financial innovations allowed risk management while fueling new ventures. The same balance is required today. Overregulation could slow innovation, while under-regulation risks ethical lapses and reputational damage. Board members and policymakers face an urgent responsibility: establish frameworks that both protect traditional industries and enable AI-driven reinvention. As Forbes has highlighted, AI governance is fast becoming a board-level imperative, with investors demanding greater transparency on both risks and opportunities. Systematic Skills Development: From Navigators to AI Specialists Just as navigators and cartographers emerged as new professions in the maritime era, AI specialists, prompt engineers, and risk auditors are becoming indispensable today. Navigational academies and apprenticeships were the maritime bootcamps of their time; today, companies like Google, Microsoft, and AWS are offering AI certification programs to accelerate workforce readiness. The economics mirror history. Skilled navigators once earned three to four times the wages of artisans. Today, AI talent commands wage million dollar premiums above traditional technical roles. Organizations that systematize workforce reskilling—rather than leaving it to individual initiative—will capture the largest productivity and financial gains. Measuring Transformation: Metrics Across Centuries We can quantify the similarities across technological revolutions: Then (1400–1700): Now (2020s):The pattern is unmistakable: early adopters rarely dominate. Systematic adapters—those who integrate technology into workforce strategy, governance, and operations—become the long-term winners. Why Systematic Adapters Win the AI Race The Portuguese were first movers, but it was the Dutch who sustained dominance. Their edge wasn't technology but systems: education, finance, governance, and human capital development. Today's lesson for AI is the same. Early experimentation—what McKinsey calls 'copilot mode'—is not enough. Companies that adapt their operating models, governance structures, and workforce programs systematically will outperform those who only pilot new tools. The Leadership Imperative: Linking AI, Work, and Value Creation History shows that ships alone didn't change the world—people, institutions, and governance did. AI will be no different. For CHROs, CFOs, and board members, this is not just about adopting a technology; it's about aligning ecosystems of governance, human capital, and finance to unlock sustainable value. The maritime revolution reminds us that the winners of technological disruption are those who build resilient systems around innovation. Today, AI may be the engine, but leaders must design the ship. If we get it right, the greatest value won't come from the technology itself—it will come from how we integrate AI into the human and organizational capabilities that power long-term growth.
