Host: Lalo Solorzano and Andy Shiles

In this episode of Simply Trade, Lalo Solorzano and Andy Shiles welcome back trade data expert Ken Roberts of WorldCity for a timely look at the numbers shaping U.S. imports, exports, and global trade strategy. With trade policy, tariffs, supply chain shifts, AI demand, and geopolitical uncertainty all moving at once, Ken helps break down what the latest data is really showing.

The conversation covers major changes in U.S. trade flows, including shifts involving China, Mexico, Taiwan, Vietnam, Switzerland, Ireland, and Canada. Ken explains why certain categories, like gold, computers, AI-related hardware, pharmaceuticals, oil, beef, and vehicles, are seeing dramatic swings. He also highlights how front-loading ahead of tariffs, changing sourcing strategies, and evolving global demand are showing up in the numbers.

This episode matters because trade data is more than statistics. It is a window into where companies are sourcing, where markets are moving, and how business leaders should think about risk, opportunity, and long-term strategy in a changing global economy.

This episode focuses on current U.S. trade trends and what recent import and export data reveals about the changing global economy. Ken Roberts explains how trade volumes, deficits, product categories, and partner-country rankings are shifting in response to tariffs, AI infrastructure demand, energy markets, pharmaceutical movements, and geopolitical uncertainty.

A major theme is the continued reshaping of supply chains away from traditional patterns. China remains a major trade partner, but Ken points to significant declines in certain China-related trade flows, while countries like Mexico, Vietnam, and Taiwan are gaining importance. Taiwan’s growth is tied heavily to computer hardware and AI-related infrastructure, while Mexico continues to play a major role in cross-border trade and manufacturing.

The conversation also explores the difference between merchandise trade and services trade, why trade deficits matter, and how U.S. ports, airports, and border crossings are affected by changes in commodity flows.

Ken also shares thoughts on the future of USMCA, export market opportunities, and why trade professionals should pay close attention to the data before making assumptions.

• U.S. trade patterns are shifting quickly as tariffs, AI demand, and geopolitical pressures reshape global supply chains.

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Host: Lalo Solorzano and Trudy Wilson

In this episode of Simply Trade, Lalo Solorzano welcomes back Trudy Wilson for another round of Trudy’s Trade Tips, continuing the conversation on Incoterms that deserve extra caution. After previously covering Ex Works, Trudy turns to the opposite end of the spectrum: DDP, or Delivered Duty Paid.

At first glance, DDP can sound like the easiest option for buyers because the seller appears to handle everything. But as Trudy explains, that convenience can come with serious compliance risk. Whether you are the seller taking responsibility for import requirements in another country, or the buyer relying on a foreign supplier to correctly manage customs clearance, DDP can create unexpected exposure.

The discussion breaks down why importers must stay alert to documentation, classification, tariffs, antidumping and countervailing duties, broker setup, and country-specific import rules. Trudy also explains why sales teams may love DDP from a customer service perspective, but compliance teams should take a closer look before agreeing to it.

This episode matters because Incoterms are not just shipping terms. They affect cost, risk, responsibility, and compliance exposure.

This episode focuses on the risks of using DDP, Delivered Duty Paid, in international transactions. Trudy explains that DDP places maximum responsibility on the seller, including transportation, costs, risk, and import compliance into the destination country.

For sellers, DDP may mean taking on import obligations in a country where they may not understand the rules or may not even be legally permitted to act as the importer. For buyers, DDP may seem convenient, but it can create risk when a supplier misclassifies goods, undervalues shipments, fails to account for tariffs, or does not properly set up broker authority.

Trudy also emphasizes that companies should not assume a freight forwarder or broker has the same capabilities in every country. Service provider coverage, local representation, and destination-country expertise are essential when considering any complex import transaction.

The episode closes with a practical reminder: companies can often simplify Incoterm decisions by focusing on a smaller group of more practical terms, while still getting proper training before applying them.

• DDP may sound convenient, but it can create major compliance exposure for both buyers and sellers.

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Host: Annik Sobing

Guest: Laura DiBella, Chair, Federal Maritime Commission

From Resilience to Maritime Leadership

Annik Sobing sits down with Laura DiBella for a deeply personal and inspiring conversation about leadership, resilience, and the path that brought her to the Federal Maritime Commission. Laura shares how her upbringing as a first-generation American, her family’s financial hardships, and the loss of her brother shaped her values and her drive to serve. The conversation also explores her career journey through real estate, economic development, ports, and maritime leadership, as well as what the industry needs now to move forward with clarity and support.

Who This Episode Is Valuable For

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

Laura’s early life

How adversity shaped her path

Career growth across industries

What maritime needs now

Why her story resonates

Credits

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Host: Cindy Allen

It’s Time to Go: Refunds, Trade Policy, and What Comes Next

In this episode of Simply Trade: Cindy’s Version, Cindy Allen walks listeners through a busy week in international trade while using Taylor Swift’s “It’s Time to Go” as the theme. She covers the latest Court of International Trade ruling on Section 122, the ongoing CAPE refund process, Section 301 hearings, possible changes to Section 232 tariffs, and new concerns around CPSC data requirements. The episode also touches on fraud prevention, ACE help desk issues, and why it may be time to return to more traditional trade processes with clearer timelines and checks and balances.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

Court and tariff updates

CAPE refund progress

Fraud and cybersecurity concerns

New compliance pressure

Why “It’s Time to Go” fits

Credits

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Host: Lalo Solorzano and Andy Shiles

Global trade is changing fast, and compliance teams are being asked to do more than ever before. In this episode of Simply Trade, Lalo Solorzano and Andy Shiles welcome back Evan Smith of Altana to discuss how artificial intelligence, supply chain visibility, and product passports are reshaping the way importers, brokers, forwarders, and governments approach trade compliance.

Evan explains why traditional customs entry data is no longer enough for today’s regulatory environment, especially as forced labor enforcement, tariff stacking, rules of origin, carbon requirements, and geopolitical risk all demand a deeper understanding of the full value chain. The conversation explores how product passports can help companies move from reactive problem-solving to proactive trade assurance, allowing importers to document, validate, and communicate product and supply chain information before goods arrive at the border.

This episode matters because it highlights a major shift: trade compliance is no longer just a back-office function. It is becoming a strategic business capability that can reduce risk, improve speed to market, and create competitive advantage. Transcript source:

The episode focuses on the rise of AI-enabled product passports and how they can help companies manage modern trade compliance challenges. Evan Smith explains how Altana’s technology maps value chain networks, supports regulatory attestations, and helps businesses better understand supplier relationships, origin data, forced labor risk, tariff exposure, USMCA qualification, and other trade requirements.

A key theme is the shift from transaction-based compliance to network-based compliance. Instead of relying only on individual customs entries, companies are being encouraged to build a deeper, ongoing view of their products and supply chains. This allows trade teams to identify risk earlier, respond more effectively to government inquiries, and potentially gain trade facilitation benefits through pre-validation and stronger documentation.

The discussion also emphasizes leadership’s role in elevating trade compliance across product design, sourcing, procurement, logistics, and overall business strategy.

• Customs authorities are increasingly focused on full supply chain and value chain visibility, not just entry-level transaction data.

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Host: Cindy Allen - Trade Force Multiplier

CAPE Audits, Broker Value, and the Real Cost of Recovery

Cindy Allen sits down with Pete Mento of Baker Tilly for an unfiltered conversation about CAPE refunds, audits, broker fees, and what importers should really be thinking about as the refund process evolves. Pete shares why importers need to own the accuracy of their data, why audits matter before filing, and why the broker relationship is more important than ever when claims involve tariffs, offsets, and potential corrections. The episode also covers the value of customs brokerage, the debate over fee structures, and the impact of Amazon, reverse logistics, and broader market changes on the future of trade.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

CAPE rollout and audit readiness

Importer responsibility

What broker services are worth

Software, AI, and audit tools

Amazon and the future of logistics

Credits

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In this episode of Simply Trade, host Lalo Solorzano is joined by Trudy Wilson, longtime Global Training Center instructor and trade compliance expert, for the first installment of what Lalo calls “Trudy’s Trade Tips.”

This conversation focuses on a foundational topic that continues to create confusion across import and export teams: Incoterms 2020.

Trudy breaks down why companies should not simply default to familiar terms like FOB or Ex Works, especially when containerized freight, export filing, loading responsibility, and risk exposure are involved.

Trudy explains why the four sea and inland waterway terms should generally be reserved for goods that are “pumped or dumped” onto a vessel, such as oil, grain, minerals, or ore.

For most containerized shipments, even when moving by ocean, companies should usually be evaluating the seven any-mode Incoterms instead.

She also cautions against the casual use of Ex Works, reminding exporters that “easy” does not always mean low risk.

“If you don’t have the foundation right, you’re going to have issues with the tariffs anyway.”

Simply Trade is a podcast by Global Training Center, created for trade compliance professionals, importers, exporters, customs brokers, and supply chain leaders who want practical conversations about global trade.

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Host: Annik Sobing

Published: May 2026

AI, Trade Reporting, and Why the Industry Is Changing Faster Than Ever

Annik Sobing sits down with Eric Johnson of the Journal of Commerce for a wide-ranging conversation about trade media, logistics, technology, and the growing influence of AI across the industry. Eric shares how his reporting career led him from newspapers and ports coverage into trade journalism, why global experience sharpened his perspective, and how the pace of change has accelerated as the industry becomes more connected and more technical. The discussion also explores TPM, how conferences are evolving, and why smart technology still depends on smart people.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

Eric’s background

How trade reporting works

The impact of culture and perspective

How the industry has changed

TPM and the future of events

AI, investment, and resilience

Credits

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Host: Cindy Allen

Trade Complexity, CAPE Rejections, and Why “Happiness” Fits the Moment

In this episode of Simply Trade: Cindy’s Version, Cindy Allen steps back from the usual CAPE-only focus to look at the broader trade landscape, from AGOA comments and EU sanctions to OFAC changes, DOJ enforcement, and shipping developments at the FMC. She also discusses the latest CAPE refund updates, including rejection rates, sequencing issues, and the practical steps importers need to take if their entries were filed before guidance was finalized. Using Taylor Swift’s “Happiness” as her theme, Cindy reflects on the complexity of the current trade environment and why both frustration and optimism can exist at the same time.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

AGOA and global policy updates

DOJ enforcement and supply chain risk

Shipping and market pressure

CAPE refund complexity

The meaning of “Happiness”

Credits

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April 30, 2026

~37 minutes

IEEPA duty refunds are creating a major opportunity—but only for companies that know how to navigate CAPE (Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries) correctly.

In this episode of Simply Trade, Andy and Lalo sit down with Bonnie Kersch to break down what CAPE actually means in practice and how importers should be preparing to take advantage of potential refunds.

This isn’t theoretical.

The conversation focuses on:

With guidance tied directly to CBP’s latest direction—including the U.S. Customs and Border Protection IEEPA refund guidance—this episode helps translate policy into real-world execution.

CAPE is not just a filing mechanism—it’s a structured way to manage and process entries in a consolidated manner.

👉 Misunderstanding this leads to missed opportunities or incorrect filings.

To take advantage of IEEPA refunds, companies need visibility into:

👉 If your data is fragmented, this becomes a major barrier.

Not every entry will qualify.

This step requires:

📌 Reference:

CAPE execution isn’t done in isolation.

It requires coordination between:

👉 Misalignment here can delay or derail the process.

Any refund request will need to stand up to scrutiny.

👉 This means having:

IEEPA-related refund opportunities are time-sensitive and complex.

Companies that:

👉 may miss out entirely—or expose themselves to compliance risk.

This episode gives a practical lens on what needs to happen next.

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