Host: Lalo Solorzano (filling in for Cindy Allen)

This week’s Cindy’s Version comes with a twist — Cindy is on vacation in Cancun, so Lalo Solorzano takes over the mic and drives this week’s episode down a different track: Crazy Train by Ozzy Osbourne.

In true Gen X fashion, Lalo blends heavy metal attitude with the week’s biggest trade updates, covering everything from Senate tariff votes and CBP’s new Section 232 duties to fresh U.S.–China developments and new trade frameworks across Southeast Asia.

From tariff fatigue and AI adoption to collaboration and mentorship, this Halloween-themed episode keeps the humor high and the insights real — proving that even in global trade, we’re all riding the same crazy train.

Senate blocks two key trade measures:

Why lawmakers warned that reciprocal tariffs risked igniting a global trade war

CBP guidance on new Section 232 duties for:

Trump–Xi meeting updates: possible 10% tariff rollback on Chinese goods and renewed soybean imports

New reciprocal trade frameworks with Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Malaysia

Highlights from the ICPA Fall Conference panel “Duty Calls” — hosted by Global Training Center and Simply Trade

Tariff Fatigue & Strategy: Don’t just react to constant changes — build adaptable systems.

Automation & AI: Smart use of AI for classification and drawback can improve compliance efficiency.

Collaboration: Compliance can’t live in a silo — involve procurement, finance, logistics, and engineering.

Mentorship & Talent: You can’t complain about the lack of talent if you’re not helping grow it.

Mindset: Trade doesn’t run on policy alone — it’s driven by people with passion and purpose.

Congress blocks new tariffs.

CBP rolls out new ones.

U.S. and China hint at a handshake deal.

Southeast Asia signs new reciprocal agreements.

And trade experts remind us: stay calm, stay informed, and keep your systems ready.

Or as Ozzy says — “It’s crazy, but that’s how it goes.”

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

Federal Register – Section 232 Notices

ICPA – International Compliance Professionals Association

U.S. Department of Commerce – Trade Updates

Host:

Lalo Solorzano – LinkedIn

Producer:

Global Training Center

Special thanks to:

Cindy Allen – LinkedIn

Trade Force Multiplier

New episodes every Friday.

Presented by: Global Training Center — providing education, consulting, workshops, and compliance resources for trade professionals.

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Hosts: Lalo Solorzano & Andy Shales

In this Halloween Week special, the Simply Trade hosts dig into real-life trade horror stories that will make any exporter’s blood run cold.

Attorney Josh Rodman from Schulz Trade Law joins Lalo and Andy to share two spine-chilling case studies where export compliance went sideways — despite good intentions. From ballistic helmets misclassified under the wrong ECCN to shipments to Russia caught in the tangled web of ever-changing export controls, this episode proves that in trade, even honest mistakes can summon costly consequences.

Josh explains how voluntary self-disclosures (VSDs) can save a company from financial nightmares and why staying current with export regulations is critical to avoid getting haunted by unexpected investigations or penalties.

This episode blends legal insight with cautionary tales — perfect for your Halloween listening lineup!

Real-world export control “horror stories”

Misclassification of military equipment under ECCNs

Voluntary Self-Disclosures (VSDs) and how they mitigate penalties

OFAC subpoenas and overlapping U.S. government investigations

Russian sanctions, HTS code–based restrictions, and transshipment red flags

How exporters can protect themselves through due diligence and expert review

Schulz Trade Law

Export Administration Regulations (EAR)

OFAC – U.S. Treasury Sanctions Programs

U.S. Department of Commerce – BIS

Global Training Center

🎧 Credits

Hosts:

Lalo Solorzano

Andy Shiles

Guests:

Josh Rodman - Schulz Trade Law

Producer:

Lalo Solorzano

Stay up to date with Simply Trade — the podcast that makes international trade easy to understand (and sometimes spooky 👻).

🎧 Listen & Subscribe:

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Hosts:

It’s a special Halloween edition of Simply Trade [Tips] with Hammer and Heels (Renee & Julie)! 🎙️

In this spooky seasonal episode, the hosts share “scary compliance stories” that every trade professional can learn from — tales of audits that wouldn’t die, supply chain skeletons, and hauntingly complex importer-of-record issues.

Between these frighteningly true stories and a fun “Trick-or-Treat: Fact or Fiction” lightning round, listeners will pick up valuable lessons about risk, recordkeeping, and compliance best practices — all while getting into the Halloween spirit.

Importer of Record Issues: Never assume your company should make entry — confirm the proper party has the right to do so.

Audit Nightmares: A prior disclosure can protect you from penalties, but only if it’s complete and accurate. Double-check everything before submitting.

Trick or Treat: Compliance Edition!

Can CBP review your General Ledger? ✅ Treat!

Do you need to reconcile quantity variances with Customs entries? ✅ Treat!

Is your broker solely responsible for recordkeeping? ❌ Trick! Importers must maintain their records for at least five years.

Is a parts database a strong compliance tool? ✅ Treat! It helps ensure data accuracy and consistency.

👉 This week’s action item:

Are your prior disclosures accurate and auditable?

Is your importer of record process clear?

Do your records meet the five-year rule?

And since it’s Halloween… figure out your costume, too! 🎭

Join the Trade Geeks Community at Global Training Center and share:

Your own “scary compliance story.”

How you’ve handled tricky audits or importer-of-record nightmares.

And, of course, what you’re dressing up as for Halloween!

Hosts:

Renee Chiuchiarelli

Julie Parks

Producer:

Lalo Solorzano

🎙️ New TIPS episodes every Tuesday.

Presented by: Global Training Center — providing education, consulting, workshops, and compliance resources for trade professionals.

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📩 Want to be on the show or suggest a topic?

Host: Annik Sobing

In this Halloween special on Simply Trade, host Annik sits down with air cargo leader Donna Mullins. With 34+ years navigating international logistics, Donna shares “horror stories” from neglected air cargo facilities, underfunded infrastructure, and the everyday challenges that haunt supply chains. They talk about why air cargo—though only 5% of total shipment volume—carries 35% of value and why modernizing this sector is urgent for the entire trade community.

Discover where the U.S. lags behind, how Donna’s advocacy is driving real industry change, and why collaboration among business, government, and tech is essential to exorcise inefficiency from the system.

GAO Report to Congressional Committees – Air Cargo – DOT Should Communicate Data Limitations and Identify Stakeholder Challenges - https://www.gao.gov/assets/gao-25-107334.pdf

Host: Annik Sobing

Producer: Lalo Solorzano

New Roundup episodes every week.

Presented by: Global Training Center — providing education, consulting, workshops, and compliance resources for trade professionals.

👉 www.GlobalTrainingCenter.com

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Want to Be on the Show or Have Topic Suggestions?

Host: Cindy Allen

This week, Cindy Allen — the Taylor Swift of Trade — draws inspiration from I Did Something Bad to explore one of the biggest trade compliance challenges happening right now: CBP’s surge in broad and complex Requests for Information (CF-28s and CF-29s).

Cindy breaks down what these new inquiries mean for importers, especially those dealing with Section 232 duties, component-level valuation, and IEEPA-related exemptions. She also discusses the latest updates on the U.S.–China trade relationship, new tariffs on vehicles and buses, the continuing government shutdown, and the upcoming IEEPA Supreme Court hearing.

If you’ve received a CF-28 that looks more like a full audit than a question, this episode is for you.

Hosts:

Producer:

New episodes every Friday.

Presented by: Global Training Center — providing education, consulting, workshops, and compliance resources for trade professionals.

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Don’t forget to rate, review, and share with your fellow trade geeks!

Hosts: Lalo Solorzano & Andy Shiles

Federico “Kiko” Zúñiga

JD Gonzalez

Kim Campbell

Carlos Martinez

Published: October 2025

🌎 Connecting Borders Through Collaboration

In this special episode of Simply Trade, hosts Lalo Solorzano and Andy Shiles sit down with four key leaders representing the North American Customs Brokers Alliance (NACBA) — an unprecedented trilateral effort uniting customs professionals across Canada, the U.S., and Mexico.

Their guests — Federico “Kiko” Zúñiga, JD Gonzalez, Kim Campbell, and Carlos Martinez — share how NACBA came together to strengthen cross-border collaboration and ensure a unified voice for the customs brokerage community.

The discussion explores how the alliance helps tackle complex trade issues, supports modernization, and promotes professional dialogue beyond politics. With each representative bringing national perspective and decades of industry experience, this episode highlights how partnership and trust drive trade efficiency and policy progress across North America.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Key Takeaways:

NACBA represents a unified customs broker voice for North America.

Collaboration among NCBFAA, CIFFA, and CSCB strengthens the profession.

Policy influence is stronger when industry speaks with one regional perspective.

The upcoming 2025 NACBA Meeting in Toronto will continue the conversation on modernization, digitalization, and trade alignment.

Building trust between governments and brokers is essential to simplifying trade.

Resources & Mentions:

NCBFAA – National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America

CIFFA – Canadian International Freight Forwarders Association

Canadian Society of Customs Brokers (CSCB)

Global Training Center

North American Customs Brokers Alliance (NACBA)

🎧 Credits

Hosts:

Lalo Solorzano

Andy Shiles

Guests:

Federico “Kiko” Zúñiga – United States / NACBA Founder

JD Gonzalez – United States / NCBFAA

Kim Campbell – Canada / CIFFA, CSCB

Carlos Martinez – Mexico

Producer:

Lalo Solorzano

📢 Subscribe & Follow

New episodes every week.

Presented by Global Training Center — providing education, consulting, workshops, and compliance resources for trade professionals.

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Host: Warrington Ellacott

This week on Simply Trade, Warrington Ellacott from the Canadian Association of Importers and Exporters returns for another Canadian Pod edition. His guest is David Paterson, Ontario’s representative in Washington, D.C., who offers a front-row view of U.S.-Canada trade policy amid new tariffs, shifting supply chains, and political change.

Together, they break down the current state of Canada–U.S. trade under the Trump administration, the critical role Ontario plays as America's top customer, and how supply chains can adapt to the evolving tariff and compliance landscape.

From auto manufacturing and critical minerals to AI innovation, Ontario is positioning itself not only as a trade powerhouse but also as a strategic bridge between North American and global markets.

Key Discussion Highlights

Tips for Businesses and Traders

Key Takeaways

Host: Warrington Ellacott – Canadian Association of Importers and Exporters

New Canadian edition episodes periodically. 

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Want to Be on the Show or Have Topic Suggestions?

Hosts: Renee Chuichiarelli & Julie Parks

In this episode of Simply Trade [Tips], Hammer and Heels (Renee & Julie) kick off their new Project Management series. They break down how to confidently launch and manage a project—whether it’s a massive ERP implementation or something more focused like writing a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).

Their secret to getting started? Two simple but essential steps:

Brainstorming — Define your project, identify your stakeholders, and get their buy-in early.

Doing the Homework — Research your options, analyze internal vs. external solutions, and always widen your perspective when talking to vendors or IT teams.

Whether you’re a trade manager or new to project ownership, this episode gives you a framework to get your next initiative off the ground efficiently and with purpose.

Identify & Scope Clearly: Define what problem your project solves and who benefits from it.

Get Stakeholder Support: Involve cross-functional teams early to ensure buy-in and alignment.

Do Your Homework: Explore both internal and external solutions before committing to one.

Ask the Right Questions: When meeting with vendors or IT, leave time to learn about other potential solutions they offer.

Think Long-Term: Every small project builds skills for handling larger, enterprise-level challenges.

👉 Action Item: Find (or assign) a project!

Join the conversation on Trade Geeks and tell us:

What project did you pick or assign?

What step of the brainstorming or homework process helped you the most?

Any surprises you found while scoping your project?

👉 Trade Geeks Community

Hosts:

Renee Chiuchiarelli

Julie Parks

Producer:

Lalo Solorzano

Subscribe & Follow:

Presented by: Global Training Center — providing education, consulting, workshops, and compliance resources for trade professionals.

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📩 Want to be on the show or suggest a topic?

Host: Annik Sobing

Published: October 20,  2025

Presented by: Global Training Center

ACE Up Your Trade Game: Turning Data into Compliance Intelligence

This week on Simply Trade, host Annik Sobing sits down with trade data expert Michelle Frennier to explore one of the most powerful—and underused—resources in compliance: ACE, the Automated Commercial Environment.

Together, they dive into how companies can use ACE not just for entry filings and reporting but as a living system of business intelligence. From identifying tariff misclassifications and broker inconsistencies to predicting compliance risks before CBP does, Michelle breaks down how to transform ACE data into proactive strategy.

Whether you’re new to ACE or already using it daily, this episode will show you how to make the system work for you—revealing errors, trends, and opportunities buried inside your own trade data.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

How ACE works—and why every importer and exporter should have an account

What ACE reveals about your company’s compliance “story”

How to set up accounts, assign users, and customize reports

Common mistakes companies make when they ignore ACE data

Auditing through exceptions instead of endless sampling

How ACE helps identify anomalies automatically

Using Excel pivot tables and filters to visualize compliance trends

The difference between manual audits and automated exception-based reviews

Real-world risk reduction and “aha” moments from ACE users

Spotting manufacturer ID errors, missed CF-28 notices, or outdated tariff entries

How to tie ACE reports to actual duty savings and corrective action

Ways brokers and importers can collaborate on data quality using weekly reports

Export insight through ACE and why it matters now

Tracking where your exports are filed and why ACE visibility helps reduce enforcement risks

How to find unauthorized or incorrect export filings under your company name

Why ACE data is critical amid the new 50% rule and SDN ownership restrictions

ACE for leadership and ROI

How to turn ACE reports into C-suite scorecards

Building credibility and securing a compliance “seat at the table”

Making your data-driven story part of enterprise risk strategy

Tips for Getting Started:

Apply for your free ACE importer or exporter account directly through CBP.

Assign trusted company users and maintain strong access controls.

Run and save template reports for regular review—don’t treat ACE as an archive.

Communicate findings early; catching errors before CBP does is always cheaper.

Key Takeaways:

ACE is more than a filing platform—it’s the single source of truth for your trade data history.

Learning to read and work with your ACE data helps you correct errors before CBP finds them.

With exception-based auditing, automation strengthens compliance oversight while keeping humans in control.

ACE offers visibility, transparency, and credibility—three essentials for compliance leaders seeking strategic impact.

Resources & Mentions:

Michelle Frennier

E-Mail: [email protected]

— CBP Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) Overview:

https://www.federalregister.gov/automated-commercial-environment-ace-

— ACE Reports and Account Access:

— ACE for Export Filings and Electronic Manifests:

— ACE Tutorials and FAQs:

Host: Annik Sobing

Producer: Lalo Solorzano

New Roundup episodes every week.

Presented by: Global Training Center — providing education, consulting, workshops, and compliance resources for trade professionals.

👉 www.GlobalTrainingCenter.com

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Want to Be on the Show or Have Topic Suggestions?

Host: Cindy Allen

Published: October 17, 2025

Length: ~11 minutes

Presented by: Global Training Center

This week, Cindy Allen — the Taylor Swift of Trade — opens with the song "Wish List" from Taylor’s latest album to frame a candid look at the current landscape for international trade professionals.

Cindy launches with a snapshot of the ongoing U.S. government shutdown and its impacts on trade facilitation, CBP operations, and agency holds, noting which agencies are coping and where the pain points are starting to show. She also discusses the latest on vessel and container fees targeting China-linked shipping, and the rollout of new environmental "green fee" proposals gaining traction with international regulators.

Cindy moves on to cover major industry developments, from continued Section 232 duty adjustments on pharmaceuticals and heightened scrutiny on origin-specific duties, to the broader market response as recent tensions with China appear to cool—at least for now.

Wrapping up, Cindy connects this week’s trade turbulence to the themes in “Wish List”—emphasizing the profession’s desire for a return to routine and the growing “Make Trade Boring Again” movement among customs brokers.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

U.S. government shutdown: Trade impact and operational status by agency

Week three status update on CBP, FDA, CPSC, USDA, and smaller agencies

How agency holds and exams are affecting shipments

New vessel/container fees and carrier rerouting after China-related restrictions

October 14 implementation and compliance guidance for carriers

Cost impact—and what’s (not yet) being passed on to importers

Section 232 pharma update and reciprocal duty challenges

Delayed new tariffs for pharmaceuticals and incentives to manufacture in the U.S.

Complications for brokers: layering, exemptions, and compliance tools

China trade relations and tariff risk

Why the threatened 100% duty on Chinese goods for November 1 is unlikely

Market reaction to de-escalation signals

New “green fee” proposals and the U.S. response

IMO, WTO, and WCO push for environmental surcharges

President Trump’s stance and potential U.S. actions

Customs brokerage in the spotlight

How recent media coverage has changed the industry

The call to “Make Trade Boring Again”—and why that’s on Cindy’s wish list

Key Takeaways:

The shutdown has yet to cause a major breakdown in trade flows, but agency-specific disruptions are mounting.

Vessel/container fees are being absorbed through creative routing—importers haven’t seen extra charges, but the future is uncertain.

Section 232 duties remain a compliance headache, especially with new exemption and layering rules.

Signs of a U.S.–China trade thaw this week bring relief and market stability, halting expectations of major new tariffs.

Trade professionals everywhere are wishing for normalcy: less drama, fewer surprises, and a return to boring, reliable compliance work.

Resources & Mentions:

— CBP, FDA, CPSC, USDA shutdown operational notices

— Section 232 duty update bulletins

— Taylor Swift: Wish List, The Life of a Show Girl (referenced)

— Make Trade Boring Again campaign (NCBFAA)

Hosts:

Cindy Allen – LinkedIn

Trade Force Multiplier

Producers:

Lalo Solorzano – LinkedIn

New episodes every Friday.

Presented by: Global Training Center — providing education, consulting, workshops, and compliance resources for trade professionals.

👉 Connect with us:

Simply Trade Podcast on LinkedIn

Global Training Center on LinkedIn

YouTube

Spotify

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Trade Geeks Community

Don’t forget to rate, review, and share with your fellow trade geeks!