Trade, Toasted Sandwiches, and TP Déjà Vu
Good morning! ☀️
Today’s freight forecast feels like a fever dream from 2020 — and not in a good way. Trump just scored another trade “win,” this time with China, dialing down tariffs but keeping enough pressure to make importers sweat. Meanwhile, Fresh & Ready Foods had to yank a whole line of premade goodies (looking at you, egg salad) after listeria crashed the lunch party. And in a twist straight out of your pandemic nightmares, the world’s biggest pulp exporter is warning that toilet paper prices might be on the rise — again.
If your day involves pallets, ports, or planning around consumer panic... we suggest stocking up on patience (and maybe Charmin).
“Always look for the fool in the deal. If you don’t find one, it’s you.”
Trump Secures U.S.-China Tariff Deal with Promises of Relief and Future Talks
Fresh off the heels of a U.K. trade win, Trump just locked in a new U.S.–China tariff deal that dials back the heat — sort of. Both countries will slash tariffs by 115%, but keep a 10% “baseline” in place (aka: the new normal). China’s rolling back retaliation, the U.S. is lifting some newer tariffs, and both sides are gearing up for round two with fresh trade reps and a new agenda that includes fentanyl crackdowns.
The big picture? It’s a temporary break in a years-long economic staring contest — one that could reopen the gates for American exports and reshape global freight lanes.
Why You Should Care:
Tariff relief means fewer customs headaches, clearer compliance paths, and a (potential) rebound in cross-Pacific container flow. But don’t toss your risk management plan just yet.
🔥 Hot Take:
It’s not peace — it’s a pressure valve. You may save a few bucks on duties, but that 10% “baseline” still makes your cargo sweat.
Listeria Outbreak Triggers Premade Food Recall Across Four States
Fresh & Ready Foods just pulled the plug on a bunch of premade snacks — think sandwiches, dips, pasta, and more — after the FDA found listeria lurking on processing equipment. The kicker? That same strain is tied to a 2024 outbreak that sickened at least 10 people.
The recall spans California, Nevada, Arizona, and Washington, affecting products sold in airports, vending machines, hospitals, and convenience stores. Brands impacted include Fresh & Ready, City Point Market, and Fresh Take Crave Away — all with “Use By” dates from April 22 to May 19.
No confirmed illnesses yet from these batches, but if you move, store, or sell fresh food, this is your sign: traceability, food safety, and contingency planning matter more than ever.
🔥 Hot Take:
If your cold chain isn’t airtight, one bug can send your whole operation into meltdown mode.
Could Tariffs Trigger Another TP Shortage?
Remember 2020? When toilet paper was basically currency and grocery aisles looked post-apocalyptic? Well... buckle up.
Suzano SA — the world’s largest pulp exporter (aka the folks behind your TP) — just said it cut shipments to the U.S. by 20% in April thanks to new tariffs. Pulp’s facing a 10%+ tariff, and steel from Brazil is getting slapped with 25%. The company says it’s already passing those costs to U.S. buyers.
Shelves are fine for now — but higher prices and a tighter supply chain could mean another messy repeat. And let’s be honest, if we learned anything last time, it’s that panic buys fast and replenishes slow.
Why You Should Care:
This isn’t just about toilet paper. Pulp touches everything from packaging to hygiene products. Tariff turbulence = container chaos, rate hikes, and major headaches in demand planning.
🔥 Hot Take:
If tariffs clog the supply chain again, TP won’t be the only thing in short supply — patience will be too.
The Workday Dash is an aggregation of articles regarding the transportation logistics, trucking, and supply chain industries for June 27, 2025, from iLevel Logistics Inc.