By Léon Levinas-Ménard
1. US IMPOSSES 25% TARIFF ON FOREIGN-MADE CARS
In a major trade policy move, the US government announced a 25% tariff on all imported cars and light trucks, effective April 2. The executive order signed by President Trump aims to boost domestic auto manufacturing by making foreign vehicles and certain parts more expensive.
Sources:
https://www.supplychaindive.com/news/trump-automotive-tariffs/743656/
2. PHARMA GIANT RESHORING – $55B US INVESTMENT
Johnson & Johnson unveiled plans to invest over $55 billion in U.S. manufacturing and R&D over the next four years amid looming import tariff threats on pharmaceuticals. The company will build new plants starting in North Carolina to bolster its medical supply chain, a strategy echoed by peers like Eli Lilly as the administration pushes drugmakers to produce locally.
3. BLACK SEA SHIPPING TRUCE TO REVIVE GRAIN EXPORTS
Russia and Ukraine agreed to halt attacks on vessels in the Black Sea, enabling safe navigation for commercial ships. The U.S.-brokered deal, announced after talks in Saudi Arabia, is expected to reopen critical grain export corridors from Ukraine and ease restrictions on Russian agricultural shipments. This tentative maritime ceasefire could alleviate global food supply pressures if it holds.
4. FDA DELAYS FOOD TRACEABILITY RULE COMPLIANCE
U.S. regulators postponed the enforcement of a sweeping food traceability mandate (FSMA Rule 204) by an additional 30 months. The FDA’s decision gives food producers and supply chain partners until mid-2028 to implement new traceability record-keeping requirements. While industry groups welcomed the extra time to comply, consumer advocates warn that the delay in full traceability could prolong risks in tracking foodborne illness outbreaks.
5. FEDEX WINS $400M IN HEALTHCARE LOGISTICS DEALS
FedEx is onboarding nearly 400 million USD in new annual revenue from healthcare supply chain contracts. The logistics giant credits its FedEx Surround platform, which provides real-time shipment visibility and intervention, for attracting pharmaceutical and medical device clients. These wins boost FedEx’s healthcare logistics portfolio, approaching 9 billion USD, as it competes with rivals in high-value cold chain and medical deliveries.
Sources:
https://www.supplychaindive.com/news/fedex-healthcare-logistics-growth-2025/743235/
6. DESCARTES ACQUIRES 3GTMS TMS SOFTWARE
Canada-based Descartes Systems Group acquired 3GTMS, a U.S. transportation management system provider, for about $115 million. The deal, Descartes’ 32nd acquisition since 2016, strengthens its TMS capabilities for shippers and 3PLs. This consolidation reflects ongoing investment in logistics software platforms to improve freight planning and execution.
Sources:
https://www.dcvelocity.com/technology/transportation-it/transportation-load-planning-tms/descartes-acquires-transportation-software-vendor-3gtms
7. $1B LOGISTICS TECH VENTURE FUND LAUNCHED
Silicon Valley VC firm 8VC closed a new $998 million fund dedicated to supply chain and logistics technology. The firm’s sixth flagship fund will back “transformative technologies” in areas like end-to-end supply chain visibility software, last-mile delivery optimization, warehouse automation, and freight innovation. The hefty fundraise highlights investor confidence in logistics tech, following a surge of startups tackling industry challenges accelerated by digitization.
Sources:
https://www.ainvest.com/news/8vc-raises-998m-reshape-logistics-landscape-2503/
8. SHIPPING ALLIANCE PUSHES DIGITAL DOCUMENTATION
The Digital Container Shipping Association (DCSA) released final e-document standards, Booking 2.0 and Bill of Lading 3.0, to streamline ocean freight processes. The enhanced eBL standard now supports digital signatures and over 190 data attributes to meet new EU customs requirements. By standardizing data and boosting security, carriers and forwarders aim to cut paperwork and improve efficiency in global trade.
Sources:
https://splash247.com/digital-container-shipping-association-unveils-latest-upgrades/
9. “SMART CONTAINER ALLIANCE” LAUNCHED FOR IOT TRACKING
Major ocean carriers and tech firms formed the Smart Container Alliance to accelerate adoption of IoT-enabled shipping containers. This new coalition seeks to standardize smart container technology for real-time cargo tracking and condition monitoring. By uniting shipping lines, customs authorities, and tech providers, the alliance plans to combat illicit trade and cargo theft while improving supply chain visibility and efficiency through connected containers.
Sources:
https://splash247.com/smart-container-alliance-launches/
10. SUPPLY CHAINS EMBRACE AI – WITH MIXED RESULTS
A new Gartner survey found 72% of supply chain organizations are deploying generative AI tools, but many report only middling productivity gains so far. Supply chain leaders remain optimistic about AI-driven forecasting and decision support, yet challenges around data quality and integration persist. The rise of AI, including digital twin simulations and intelligent agents, is a top 2025 trend as companies pilot solutions to boost agility despite some early-stage hurdles in ROI.
Sources:
https://www.sdcexec.com/software-technology/ai-ar/news/22932531/gartner-inc-genai-in-supply-chain-boosts-productivity-across-organizations-adds-complications-survey
11. INFOR & KINAXIS PARTNER ON PLANNING SOLUTION
Infor, a cloud ERP provider, teamed up with supply chain software firm Kinaxis to launch a joint planning platform for mid-sized manufacturers. The new product, Kinaxis Planning One for Infor CloudSuite, integrates Kinaxis’s rapid planning and scenario simulation capabilities with Infor’s ERP suites for discrete manufacturing. This collaboration aims to give industrial firms better end-to-end visibility, aligning production plans with supply chain realities in one unified system to improve responsiveness and efficiency.
Sources:
https://logisticsviewpoints.com/2025/03/24/infor-and-kinaxis-launch-enterprise-planning-solution-for-discrete-manufacturers/
12. AMERICAN AIRLINES ADOPTS IOT FOR CARGO TRACKING
American Airlines signed a contract with Unilode to upgrade its entire ULD fleet with Bluetooth and LoRa sensors for real-time tracking. Starting later this year, the carrier will deploy these smart containers and pallets along with Unilode’s cloud platform to monitor cargo location and conditions. This digital initiative is expected to reduce lost equipment and improve cargo handling efficiency, as part of the airline’s broader push toward data-driven operations.
Sources:
https://www.aircargonews.net/ulds/american-airlines-selects-unilode-for-uld-services/1079825.article