Simply Trade

Hosts:

In this episode of Simply Trade [Tips], Hammer & Heels (Renee & Julie) continue their Project Management Series with a deep dive into one of the most crucial steps in any successful initiative — building the business case.

Whether your project is a small process improvement or a large-scale system redesign, having a clear and well-thought-out business case can make all the difference when it comes to securing buy-in and budget approval.

Renee and Julie break it down into four essential components:

From small departmental SOPs to enterprise-wide initiatives, this episode gives trade professionals the tools to articulate value and drive results.

Start with the BLUF — the bottom line your leaders need to see first.

Clearly define your problem statement before proposing a solution.

Don’t ignore avoidance costs — they’re real savings too.

Partner with Finance to quantify time, resources, and risk mitigation in monetary terms.

Be realistic with your timeline and dependencies — under-promise, over-deliver.

Communicate early and often with stakeholders to build support and flexibility.

👉 Action Item: Take the project you identified in Episode 1 and begin drafting your business case.

Start with a rough outline (“back of the envelope” style).

Identify your problem, proposed solution, and 2–3 measurable benefits.

Test it with peers or stakeholders and refine before formal submission.

Then, share your progress in the Trade Geeks Community!

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

What project are you building your business case for?

What challenges are you facing in defining your costs and benefits?

Have you tried pitching your project to leadership yet?

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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Host: Annik Sobing

In this Simply Trade News Roundup, host Annik sits down with leading trade compliance consultant Elizabeth Lomax to tackle the timely and turbulent world of the pharmaceutical supply chain. With shifting trade rules, tariff threats, and regulatory uncertainty dominating industry headlines, Elizabeth shares real-world insight into how manufacturers—especially smaller innovators—are navigating anxiety, adapting compliance processes, and preparing for possible disruption. The conversation breaks down executive orders, HTS code strategy, the impact of de minimis changes, and the crucial role of documentation.

Together, they address how ongoing tariff debates, differential exemption policies, and rapid-fire policy shifts are shaping both immediate risk and long-term strategy for pharmaceutical companies of all sizes.

Host: Annik Sobing

New episodes every week.

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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.

👉 Connect with us:

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Global Training Center on LinkedIn

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Trade Geeks Community

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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 👻).

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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.

Connect with us:

Simply Trade Podcast on LinkedIn

Global Training Center on LinkedIn

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Trade Geeks Community

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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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Trade Geeks Community

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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.

👉 Connect with us:

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

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New episodes every week.

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

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Global Training Center on LinkedIn

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Trade Geeks Community

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

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.

Connect with us:

Simply Trade Podcast on LinkedIn

Global Training Center on LinkedIn

YouTube

Spotify

Apple Podcasts

Trade Geeks Community

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

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