Tariff Poker, Plastic in the Brats, & Customs Conundrum Crunch

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Good morning from The Workday Dash — where the trade heat is rising, the bratwurst isn’t safe, and your global parcels just hit a speed bump. 🌭📦🔥

1️⃣ The U.S. is going full throttle on tariffs, and China’s not having it—accusing Washington of muscling trade partners and weaponizing the system.
2️⃣ Johnsonville’s latest batch of cheddar brats came with a little too much crunch—over 22,000 pounds recalled due to hard plastic.
3️⃣ And DHL’s pumping the brakes on global B2C shipments over $800 to the U.S. Get ready for customs slowdowns, just in time for spring restocks.

Let’s chew on the headlines, double-check the shipping manifest, and make sure your bratwurst doesn’t bite back.

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“Have the end in mind, and every day make sure you’re working towards it.”

— Ryan Allis, co-founder of iContact

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China Pushes Back as U.S. Tariff Pressure Grows

The U.S. just turned up the heat on its tariff strategy, and China’s calling it out—accusing Washington of strong-arming trade partners and abusing the system. With tariffs between the two climbing past 100%, it’s less a trade lane and more a trade standoff.

Now, Southeast Asia’s stuck in the middle trying not to pick sides, while China warns it won’t play the role of bargaining chip—and plans to take its case to the U.N.

Meanwhile, U.S. officials are huddling with leaders from Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia to talk shop (and trade concessions). Global markets? Still holding their breath.

✅ Why It Matters:
Every tariff escalation sends ripples through the supply chain. Longer lead times, higher costs, rerouted freight—it all piles up fast. If your operation touches international trade, this isn’t just policy—it’s your playbook.

🔥 Hot Take:
Tariffs are the chips. Freight’s the pot. Don’t go all-in without a plan.

📰 Full story via Reuters

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Plastic in the Brats? Johnsonville Recalls 22K+ Pounds of Cheddar Sausages

Johnsonville just recalled over 22,000 pounds of its cheddar bratwurst after reports of—you guessed it—hard plastic inside the links. The Class I recall (read: high risk) impacts 10 states and serves as another not-so-gentle reminder that food safety is a supply chain priority, not a back-end formality.

These brats were made back in February, so check those freezer stashes. No injuries reported, but the USDA says don’t take chances—toss ’em or take ’em back.

✅ Why It Matters:

Recalls like this hit more than the meat aisle. From rerouted loads to cold chain audits, Class I events push every part of your logistics operation to perform under pressure. If you're moving perishables, consider this your test case in speed, traceability, and damage control.

🔥 Hot Take:

This isn’t just a bratwurst recall—it’s a gut check for your recall readiness. Because when plastic sneaks into the product, logistics can’t afford to flinch.

📰 Full story via Yahoo

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DHL Suspends B2C Shipments Over $800 to U.S. Amid Customs Shift

Heads-up if you’re in global e-commerce or cross-border logistics: DHL Express is pressing pause on all business-to-consumer shipments over $800 headed to the U.S., starting April 21. The reason? A recent U.S. customs shift dropped the threshold for formal entry clearance from $2,500 to $800, creating longer processing times and more paperwork.

B2B shipments will still move (but may be slow). Packages under $800? Still good to go.

DHL says it’s temporary, but with more rule changes expected by May 2, it’s time to check your fulfillment playbook. This follows Hongkong Post halting sea shipments to the U.S., calling the policy changes a “bullying” move.

✅ Why It Matters:

This could jam up cross-border shipping lanes and ding your delivery windows. If you’re shipping high-value goods, time to adjust workflows and prep your customers for delays.

🔥 Hot Take:

The new $800 limit isn’t just a rule—it’s a wrench in the supply chain. Don’t let customs bottlenecks back up your business.

Read more at Reuters >

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