Luzon Strait: America’s Next Critical Choke Point
I’m relistening to some of our new Under Secretary of the Navy @william_toti’s Unauthorized History of the Pacific War podcast Of course @mercoglianos guest appearances are my favorite but I just finished “Operation FORAGER, the American invasion of the Mariana Islands” were Toti explains the critical importance of the Luzon Strait I LOVE how much this administration is focusing on securing choke points but we need to double down on Luzon. After the Panama Canal and Bering Strait, it’s the most important choke point in the world for 🇺🇸 national security interests. This is fantastic but I want MORE 👇
Trump’s Trade Deal Signals U.S. Relinquishes China Strategy
Trump’s Board of Trade Move Signals the U.S. has Given Up on Changing China The U.S. president is set to agree on a new framework for U.S.-China commerce at his summit with Xi Jinping, but the details could prove tricky. Keep expectations...
Social Value Becomes Strategic Tool in Public Procurement
Now playing on @artofsupply > Social Value as Strategy in Public Sector Procurement https://t.co/ioRYV36M3J @socialvalueport
Data‑Driven Shift: Industrial Economy Rebounds After November
Contrary to belief, I don't have a permanent perspective on freight markets or the economy. I follow the data. The industrial economy was a dog last year, but everything turned around in November, and we have been wide open...
RXO Gains Spot Market Share, Poised for Earnings Breakout
RXO earnings are out. Lots of momentum, setting up for a much stronger year, increasing outlook. Driven by increased spot activity, which is very different than what DAT is reporting on spot load posting volumes. It suggests that RXO is...
Sharing Insights on Amazon Supply Chain Services with Loadstar
A big thank you to The Loadstar's Ian Putzger for our lovely chat about Amazon Supply Chain Services. Yeah, I know everyone is pretty much tired of this topic but I was happy to be asked my thoughts. Ian included...
US Tech Imports Surge 110% as Non‑tech Falls
since Liberation Day, US non-tech imports are down 10%. Tech imports are up 110% https://t.co/hEbs6NasJ8
U.S. Diesel Stocks Hit 20-Year Low Amid Hormuz Closure
U.S. DISTILLATE STOCKS have fallen to the lowest for the time of year for more two decades as closure of the Strait of Hormuz creates a worldwide shortage of diesel and similar fuels. Since the war began, distillate inventories have...
Iran War Triggers Diet Coke Can Shortage in India
"The Iran war has caused a shortage of Diet Coke in India, where it is sold only in aluminium cans that have run short because of delayed shipments from the Gulf caused by the Iran war." https://t.co/uky4g78BIA
Packaging Costs Surge, Threatening Product Shortages
Prices of bags, containers, cups and utensils have all soared, sparking fears of shortages as manufacturers struggle to source packaging for products such as instant noodles, beverages and cosmetics. https://t.co/P0b2R0HC7X
Cities Can Revive Manufacturing Within Urban Limits
NEW ODD LOTS: How American cities can become hubs of manufacturing. @tracyalloway and I had an amazing chat with Allentown PA mayor Matt Tuerk about the case for having manufacturing inside the city limits, and what it takes to bring these operations...
US-Israeli Conflict Cuts India’s Airline Capacity 22%
#IndiaWatch🇮🇳: Thanks to the US-Israeli war on Iran, India’s airlines are getting SQUEEZED. Air India's international capacity fell 22% in April from a year ago. AIR INDIA SHOULD SEND A BILL FOR DAMAGES TO TRUMP & NETANYAHU. https://t.co/gGIU65FEcV
Royal Enfield Expands Manufacturing Beyond Tamil Nadu for First Time
This marks a historic shift, as it is Royal Enfield’s first major manufacturing expansion outside of Tamil Nadu since it began Indian operations in 1955.
Phase One Deal Failed: China Kept Tariffs, No Price Signals
One problem with Trump's first US-China managed ("phase one") trade deal is that China kept most all of its retaliatory tariffs in place, so its private sector never got any price signals to resume ties with American companies. Something obviously needs...
Airbus Teams with Norsk Titanium for Fast Plasma‑Deposited Parts
Norsk Titanium and Airbus partner to develop rapid plasma deposition for aerospace titanium parts. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/05/norsk-titanium-airbus-partnership.html
China’s New 5‑Year Plan Targets European Industry
European industry is in the crosshairs of China’s new 5-year plan https://t.co/vz2eM66YoX via @weberalexander https://t.co/tVtXFUCash
Pirelli Shifts Cyber‑Tyre Production to US Amid Italy‑China Tensions
JUST IN: Pirelli will produce Cyber Tyres in the US after Italy restricts China influence.
Tech's Fine, Companies Risk Bans over Job Fears
I am not bearish on autonomous trucking technology, but I am bearish on autonomous trucking companies because of the pressure on politicians to ban the technology as it starts to threaten jobs.
Rail Freight Volume Soars, Grains Jump 17.6% YoY
And just like that, the railroads surge back with one of the best volume reports all year. Grains +17.6% YoY and chemicals +3.5%. Ben has been bearish all year on freight markets, but doesn't understand how they work and how strong the...
Industrial Rebound Drives Freight Demand, Not Capacity Limits
The general belief in trucking is that freight market conditions are tight because of the removal of capacity, not because of a strong economy. This is wrong. Industrials are recovering sharply. We see this in our tender volume data and...
US Solar Advances with Fab‑Tech 2026 Production Focus
Solar Fab-Tech USA 2026 – production and technology at the heart of US solar #energysky -- via pv magazine global: https://t.co/mqvXqrZEhX https://t.co/Bdfv8igo86
US Blockade Merely Noise; Strait Closure Signals Deeper Shift
The US blockade stopped 1 Iranian tanker. Party on, dude But the Strait is closed & will remain closed for a long time That's the signal. The blockade is noise. Everything from the Trump administration is noise. That's the real signal.
Supply Chain Managers Underpaid, Directors Overpaid—Show Your Value
Unpopular opinion: Most Supply Chain Directors are overpaid for what they actually do. And most Supply Chain Managers are massively underpaid for what they actually know. Here is why. The Director spends 80% of their time in meetings, presentations, and politics. The Manager spends 80%...
Supply Constraints Decide Winners in Compute Boom
You’d think no one would be surprised we can’t make enough chips. Three earnings prints in 48 hours just confirmed the same story that compute demand has lapped supply, and capacity is the binding constraint across silicon, optics, and IP....
Power Hinges on Meeting Demands; Toll‑free Hormuz Navigation Essential
Basically “you can survive and stay in power if you do what we want.” Though “opening Hormuz” needs to spelled out clearly - no tolls, no harassment of ships and no insisting on routs other than the TSS. That’s the only...
AirAsia's A220 Deal Faces Long Road Ahead
Dateline Mirabel for reporting from @theaircurrent: Great look at the long and winding road for an AirAsia deal for the (now) A220 from Julie Johnsson & @HowardSlutsken and what comes next for the Canadian single-aisle. https://t.co/EIYUd4Zj9C
Signature Solar Opens Reno Hub, Eyes South Carolina Expansion
Signature Solar announces Reno, NV distribution center, targets South Carolina for next facility #energysky -- via pv magazine usa: https://t.co/RABhCVyLPW https://t.co/fRlPSIEh70
Only a COVID‑scale Demand Shock Offsets Hormuz Closure
"only thing that could possibly offset the supply lost due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz would be another exogenous COVID-level demand destruction event" https://t.co/PPzI5Mt2Ni
Trump Administration Begins Paying IEEPA Tariff Refunds
I've been critical (& skeptical) of the Trump admin's IEEPA tariff refund system, but this is legitimately good news. Much more to do to ensure everyone gets paid, but still... VERY good: "Tariff Refunds Have Started Being Paid by Trump Administration"...
US Air Force to Receive Qatar‑Gifted 747 by July 4
Scoop from my colleague: (Reuters) - The U.S. Air Force is targeting a Fourth of July delivery for a Boeing 747 gifted by Qatar that would join the Air Force One fleet in time for the nation's 250th anniversary, a...
U.S. Precious Metals Overtake Energy as Top Export
Very weird, kinda unsettling data (via @EBGresser): The United States' top export in February 2026 (and also now March) isn't energy or aircraft but... precious metals. And it's a trade that really took off in early 2025: https://t.co/SdVljJBXQC https://t.co/TLWP2ZCoD4
China's Engineering State and Supply Chain Capture Explained
Originally locked behind a book purchase. Releasing it now as I pivot to P3. @danwwang (Breakneck) & @PatrickMcGee_ (Apple in China) on China — engineering state, supply chain capture, and what it means for U.S. @p3institute https://t.co/eYEg95ORpN
AUR’s “Driverless” Trucks Still Require Human Driver
Correction. This is what $AUR calls driverless when they use Paccar trucks. There is still a human sitting in that front seat per Paccar's requirement.
Visual Confirmation of CS Anthem, Alliance Fairfax Arrivals
Looks like visual confirmation on CS Anthem and Alliance Fairfax, along with statements from both Crowley and Maersk. But what the heck do I know. https://t.co/HceTYvtTVc
US Fuel Exports Surge 20% to 8.2 Mn Barrels Daily
Last week, the US exported more than 8.2mn barrels a day of refined fuels including gasoline, diesel & jet fuel, an increase of more than 20% from the same period last year, according to the US Energy Information Administration. https://t.co/fTwGskrYWH...
Rail Freight Surges 4% YoY, Industrial Activity Booms
Rail freight is roaring and industrial activity continues to surge with rail shipments up 4% YoY
Silence From High-Level Sources May Signal Imminent Hormuz Crisis
To be clear: I have no information, on or off the record. But my gut says something may break soon around Hormuz. What has my attention isn’t what sources are saying. It’s which high-level sources have suddenly gone quiet. Sometimes silence is the...
Shipowners Remain Wary of Hormuz Amid Iran Outreach
Shipowners Stay Cautious on Hormuz as Iran Says ‘Contact Us’. Maritime security and safety. https://t.co/BkabcM9sQY
BIMCO Warns Project Freedom Pause Spikes Hormuz Risk
BIMCO Warns Abrupt ‘Project Freedom’ Pause Complicates Hormuz Risk Calculus. Oil and other products that come thru the Strait. Can this go on until supply shortage meets demand destruction? https://t.co/R2ZJUtaZxX
OpenSquareCap’s Q1 Letter Maps Post‑War Energy Market Outlook
Q1 letter from @OpenSquareCap is the best breakdown of Iran war energy implications I've read. The granularity of the supply chain analysis and alt data interpretation is just something else. Whatever the outcome of the conflict, this letter maps out where energy...
Smart Planning Overcomes Growing Complexity in Supply Chains
Planning is getting more complex, but smarter planning drives results. Lisa Anderson shares 3 key planning challenges + 3 ways to address them. Watch the Supply Chain Byte. #SupplyChain #Planning #Manufacturing https://t.co/Owl5yN9vva
58% Execs Predict More Localized Supply Chains by 2030
Survey of 1,800 global executives from Prologis and The Harris Poll finds a majority, 58%, forecast more localized supply chains by 2030, with only 31% expecting continued globalization. (My write-up in @forbes) https://t.co/4afHA5ytaD
NY Fed Index Hits Covid-Level Supply Chain Disruptions
🇺🇸 The NY Fed Global Supply Chain Pressure Index jumped in April to Covid-like disruption levels. https://t.co/ywfPzNS5oq https://t.co/23NKq4esGS
US‑Iran Language Clash Masks Real Strait of Hormuz Status
Setting aside the nuclear situation, there's an issue with the 1st point right off the bat - language. The US says "Iran lift its chokehold over the SoH" and Iran says "SoH is open...follow these protocols (incl. payment)." Both sides agree on...
Corning Boosts US Optical Capacity Tenfold for AI Demand
"Corning will increase its U.S.-based optical connectivity manufacturing capacity by 10x and expand its U.S. fiber production capacity by more than 50% to meet the accelerating demand driven by AI factory buildouts." https://t.co/VX9jOQr1Bg
Supply Chain Masters Reveal Upside in Constraint Map
I'm working on a report on the constraint map (I know it's an overused term) but still apt. But in this environment, the easiest way to see the upside is by those who are masters of the supply chain. https://t.co/9ZCdGgQZVs
Iran War Spikes Supply‑chain Pressure; Tariffs Stay Flat
Tariffs did not register any meaningful move last year in the New York Fed's index that measures global supply chain pressures. The Iran war, on the other hand, moved the line up notably in April https://t.co/kDmPxpgitg https://t.co/92UmxGrKV4
Shipping Firms Doubt Trump's Project Freedom; Iran Controls Hormuz
The New York Times reports that shipping companies have ZERO confidence in Pres. Trump's Project Freedom. Contrary to Pres. Trump's statements, CONTROL of the STRAIT OF HORMUZ is in IRAN'S HANDS and will probably remain so. IRAN REMAINS LOCKED AND LOADED. https://t.co/HOyQSr31S1
Most Truck Fatalities Involve People Outside the Cab
Don't think truck crashes and safety impacts you? 82% of large truck fatalities were people outside the truck https://t.co/Uewa7ML4Xc
American Steel & Aluminum Expands Solar Foundations Operations
Solar foundations manufacturer American Steel and Aluminum expands operations #energysky -- via Solar Power World: https://t.co/Wrc1OxsjqX