Simply Trade

Host: Lalo Solorzano

Technology is changing international trade, but the best tools do more than automate tasks—they solve real problems for the people doing the work.

In this tech-focused episode of the Simply Trade Podcast, host Lalo Solorzano introduces GTC Labs, Global Training Center’s incubator for developing practical technology solutions for the international trade community. Drawing on more than 35 years of training experience and direct feedback from trade professionals, the team is exploring where existing software falls short and how focused tools can help.

Software engineers Brianna Solorzano and Aaron Escobar join the conversation to discuss two early GTC Labs initiatives. The first is RAIZ, a cloud-based USMCA platform designed to support supplier solicitations, product qualification, certificate fulfillment, and audit documentation. The second explores AI agents that can monitor trade developments, process information from official sources, and deliver more relevant insights to trade professionals.

The conversation also addresses an important concern: technology should support people, not simply replace them. From deterministic qualification logic to thoughtfully applied AI, the episode offers a practical look at building technology around real trade workflows.

This episode introduces GTC Labs and its mission to create practical, accessible technology for international trade professionals.

The discussion focuses on RAIZ, a USMCA management platform being developed to simplify supplier documentation, product qualification, certificate generation, and audit readiness. The team also explores how AI agents could help trade professionals monitor official announcements, identify relevant developments, summarize lengthy documents, and improve situational awareness.

A central theme throughout the episode is responsible technology design. The team explains that AI is not appropriate for every task. For example, RAIZ uses programmed human logic—not AI—to determine USMCA qualification results, while future AI features may help users better understand their data and qualification outcomes.

RAIZ was designed around four recurring challenges identified through Global Training Center’s work with trade professionals:

• Soliciting supporting documentation from suppliers

The GTC Labs team is also developing agent-based workflows that could:

• Monitor official trade sources and industry developments

• Technology should be designed around real trade workflows rather than trying to solve every problem with one platform.

• RAIZ: Simplify USMCA Qualification Without the Guesswork

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Host: Lalo Solorzano

This week, Lalo Solorzano steps in behind the microphone while Cindy Allen enjoys a well-earned vacation—and instead of Taylor Swift, he's drawing inspiration from Metallica's "Sad But True."

The title fits. Across CBP, the Department of Commerce, and the FTC, one message is becoming increasingly clear: trade compliance is becoming more data-driven, more electronic, and more demanding. From modernization initiatives and export controls to de minimis implementation and "Made in USA" enforcement, organizations are being expected to prove more, document more, and know more about every transaction.

Rather than focusing on a single headline, this episode connects the dots between several regulatory developments to highlight a broader trend shaping the future of international trade.

Although this week's news covers multiple agencies and regulatory actions, the underlying story is much larger than any one announcement.

Lalo explains how CBP, Commerce, and the FTC are all moving toward the same objective: greater visibility into international trade through better data, stronger documentation, and increased accountability.

Whether companies are filing customs entries, managing exports, making country-of-origin claims, or relying on e-commerce fulfillment models, compliance is becoming less about reacting to problems and more about demonstrating that internal controls, documentation, and processes are already in place.

As Lalo puts it throughout the episode—"Sad but true."

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Host: Lalo Solorzano, Andy Shiles

The Consumer Product Safety Commission is entering a new era of import enforcement, and importers need to pay attention. In this episode of Simply Trade, Lalo Solorzano and Andy Shiles welcome back trade attorney Jen Diaz for a timely conversation about CPSC’s move into mandatory electronic filing for Certificates of Compliance.

Jen breaks down what importers must understand regarding the July 8, 2026 effective date, including when products require testing, what certificates must include, and why relying on assumptions or HTS codes alone can create serious risk. From children’s apparel and toys to bicycles, helmets, mattresses, rugs, furniture, jewelry, and other consumer products, the discussion makes clear that CPSC requirements can reach far beyond what many companies expect.

The episode also highlights practical steps importers can take now: use CPSC’s Regulatory Robot, confirm whether a Children’s Product Certificate or General Certificate of Conformity is required, work with approved testing labs, and provide certificate data to brokers before entry. For companies importing regulated consumer products, this is not just another paperwork change. It is a compliance checkpoint that could determine whether goods move smoothly or get stopped at the border.

This episode focuses on CPSC’s mandatory eFiling requirement for Certificates of Compliance and what it means for importers of regulated consumer products. Jen Diaz explains how the requirement fits into a broader enforcement trend, why importers should conduct product-level compliance reviews before shipping, and how tools like CPSC’s Regulatory Robot can help companies identify applicable safety rules, testing obligations, and certificate requirements.

The discussion also explores potential delays, cargo holds, laboratory testing concerns, HTS flagging, broker communication, and the importance of maintaining strong records before goods arrive in the United States.

• CPSC eFiling becomes a major compliance requirement for importers of regulated consumer products beginning July 8, 2026.

• Importers should not rely only on HTS codes; they should use the CPSC Regulatory Robot to determine whether specific products are subject to CPSC rules.

• Products that may trigger CPSC requirements include children’s apparel, toys, bicycles, helmets, mattresses, rugs, imitation jewelry, pacifiers, furniture, and other general consumer goods.

• Importers may need either a Children’s Product Certificate or a General Certificate of Conformity, depending on the product and applicable safety rules.

• Certificate data should be ready before importation and provided to brokers early so it can be filed properly with the entry.

• Testing labs matter. Importers should verify that required testing is performed by approved laboratories and keep strong documentation in case CPSC questions the shipment.

• Compliance should happen before sales, manufacturing, and shipping—not after cargo is already on hold.

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Host: Lalo Solorzano

What do the World Cup, Beyoncé’s world tour, and international trade compliance have in common? More than most people realize.

In this July Tips episode of Simply Trade, host Lalo Solorzano welcomes Ashley Arnold as the featured tips instructor for the month. Together, they connect major global events, concerts, soccer tournaments, trade shows, and traveling equipment to one important compliance tool: the ATA Carnet.

Ashley explains how ATA Carnets work like a “product passport” for goods that temporarily enter a country and then leave again. From cameras and stage equipment to trade show booths and production gear, these items are not being sold, but they still cross borders and need proper documentation. Instead of paying duties and taxes and later trying to recover them, companies can use a carnet to simplify temporary importation.

This episode makes a technical trade topic practical, timely, and easy to understand by showing how compliance plays a role behind the scenes of entertainment, sports, events, and business travel.

This episode focuses on ATA Carnets and how they support temporary international movement of goods. Ashley Arnold explains that when equipment travels internationally but is not sold and must return home, an ATA Carnet can help avoid unnecessary duties, taxes, and documentation burdens.

Using examples like the World Cup, Beyoncé’s world tour, international camera equipment, stage gear, and trade show booths, Lalo and Ashley show how global events depend on trade compliance. They also clarify that items intended to stay in the destination country, such as promotional giveaways or merchandise for sale, generally do not belong on a carnet.

• ATA Carnets are useful for goods that temporarily enter another country and return home.

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Host: Cindy Allen

This week on Simply Trade: Cindy's Version, Cindy Allen unpacks another busy week in international trade, covering updates on CAPE refunds, post-summary correction payments, Section 232 investigations, the future of USMCA, and a major Department of Justice settlement involving Alibaba.

Using Taylor Swift's "This Is Why We Can't Have Nice Things" as this week's theme, Cindy explores a broader question facing the trade community: Where should responsibility begin—and where should it end?

As government enforcement expands beyond importers to brokers, online marketplaces, and other supply chain participants, the episode examines how increased accountability may reshape global trade while raising important questions about fairness, due diligence, and practical implementation.

The episode's central discussion focuses on the growing trend of expanding legal responsibility across the supply chain.

Using the Alibaba settlement as an example, Cindy explores whether online marketplaces, customs brokers, and other intermediaries are increasingly being held accountable for actions traditionally associated with manufacturers or importers. She compares this trend to recent customs enforcement initiatives that place greater expectations on brokers and service providers to identify and report potential violations.

The discussion raises an important question for trade professionals: How much responsibility can reasonably be placed on parties who facilitate commerce but may not own, manufacture, or control the products themselves?

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• Cindy Allen – LinkedIn

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• Lalo Solorzano

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Host: Lalo Solorzano, Andy Shiles

The USMCA review process is creating questions across North American trade circles: Is the agreement ending? Are new rules already in effect? What should companies do now?

In this episode of Simply Trade, hosts Lalo Solorzano and Andy Shiles sit down with Fausto R. Lopez Aguilar, Vice President of COMCE Sur and a participant in USMCA/TMEC discussions, to clarify what is really happening. Fausto explains the USMCA sunset clause, why the agreement remains in force, and what the current review process means for businesses operating in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

The conversation explores the most active topics on the table, including automotive rules of origin, labor value content, steel and aluminum requirements, China-related concerns, tariffs, and the future of regional sourcing. Fausto also shares practical guidance for companies that already claim USMCA benefits and for those that previously avoided qualification because it seemed too complex.

The key message: USMCA is still alive, but companies should not be passive. Compliance reviews, origin documentation, tariff classifications, and supply chain localization are becoming more important than ever.

This episode focuses on the current USMCA review process and what it means for companies doing business in North America. Fausto explains that the agreement has not been terminated and that current rules remain in place. However, because the United States has chosen not to simply extend the agreement as-is, the countries are entering a period of yearly reviews that could lead to negotiated changes.

The discussion highlights the importance of certainty for investment, the role of industry associations in shaping negotiating positions, and the compliance steps companies should take now to prepare for increased scrutiny.

• USMCA remains in effect, and companies should continue operating under the current rules unless and until negotiated changes are formally implemented.

• The review process is expected to focus heavily on agriculture, automotive, and steel, with automotive rules of origin and labor value content receiving particular attention.

• Companies claiming USMCA benefits should perform internal “sanity checks” on tariff classification, origin calculations, certificates of origin, and supporting documentation.

• Businesses that previously chose not to qualify under USMCA should reconsider, especially as tariff exposure and enforcement pressure increase.

• Regional sourcing and supply chain visibility are becoming more important as companies prepare for future origin verifications and possible rule changes.

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Host: Lalo Solorzano

Trade compliance does not happen in a vacuum. In this episode, Lalo Solorzano wraps up the four-part series with Denise by exploring why cross-functional training and stronger internal partnerships are essential for smoother global trade operations. From classification and customs audits to cost forecasting and border delays, the conversation highlights how trade compliance depends on collaboration across departments that may not always realize they play a role in trade.

Denise explains why teams like engineering, finance, procurement, sourcing, logistics, and supply chain all bring critical knowledge to the table. When those teams operate in silos, companies face rushed decisions, unclear ownership, duplicated work, and avoidable compliance risk. But when they align around shared goals, define roles early, communicate clearly, and close the loop after decisions are made, trade becomes less of a roadblock and more of a strategic partner.

This episode offers practical guidance for building trust, reducing last-minute fire drills, and turning one-off requests into long-term business relationships.

This episode focuses on the importance of cross-functional partnerships in trade compliance. Lalo and Denise discuss how departments outside of trade compliance—such as engineering, finance, procurement, logistics, sourcing, and supply chain—directly influence trade outcomes, even when they do not see themselves as part of the trade process.

Denise breaks the process into three practical phases: before the work begins, while the work is underway, and after decisions are made. She explains how teams can align on shared goals, clarify expectations, make collaboration easier, and recognize contributions to strengthen future partnerships.

The episode also uses tariff classification during a product launch as a practical example of what can go wrong when teams do not communicate early, and what changes when companies create a structured, proactive partnership around trade decisions.

• Trade compliance is most effective when departments work as partners, not isolated teams.

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Host: Warrington Ellacott

Canada is moving quickly on several legislative fronts that could reshape how importers, exporters, manufacturers, and distributors manage trade compliance. In this episode, Warrington Ellacott is joined by Yannick Trudel, Partner at McMillan LLP in Montreal, to unpack three bills recently tabled in Parliament: Bill C-35, Bill C-34, and Bill C-36.

The main focus is Bill C-35, a proposed forced labor enforcement measure that could significantly expand the Canada Border Services Agency’s powers and shift the burden of proof onto importers and owners of goods. The discussion compares Canada’s approach with the U.S. UFLPA framework and highlights why supply chain documentation, supplier certifications, tariff classification consistency, and rapid response readiness are becoming more important than ever.

The episode also touches on Canada’s emerging digital safety and consumer data privacy proposals, including how data localization and cross-border data flow rules may create new trade tensions under USMCA. For companies trading into Canada, the message is clear: review the bills, prepare documentation, and be ready for a more enforcement-driven environment.

This episode explores Canada’s proposed shift from forced labor reporting obligations toward stronger border enforcement. Bill C-35 would introduce a more presumptive approach to forced labor risk, potentially relying on lists of countries, regions, entities, or commodities linked to forced labor. If enacted, the bill could require importers and owners to prove that goods were not produced with forced labor.

Warrington and Yannick also discuss the broader compliance environment, including Canada’s existing S-211 forced labor reporting obligations, the role of CBSA, potential appeal limitations under the proposed bill, and what U.S. and Mexican traders should expect when doing business with Canadian partners.

The conversation closes with a look at Bills C-34 and C-36, especially the potential trade implications of consumer data protection, digital safety rules, data sovereignty, and cross-border data flows.

• Bill C-35 could shift the burden of proof from CBSA to importers and owners of goods.

• Importers may need stronger supplier documentation, certificates, and proof of supply chain due diligence.

• Canada may develop forced labor risk lists based on countries, regions, companies, or commodities.

• Consistent tariff classification and customs declarations across borders will become increasingly important.

• Proposed appeal limitations could make CBSA enforcement decisions harder to challenge.

• Bills C-34 and C-36 may create indirect trade implications for companies operating online or handling consumer data in Canada.

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Host: Cindy Allen

This week on Simply Trade: Cindy's Version, Cindy Allen explores a week filled with meaningful developments across customs and trade—from new CAPE enhancements and changes to informal mail entries to the latest updates on Section 301, USMCA negotiations, and global supply chain strategy.

But the heart of this episode isn't about tariffs—it's about change.

Using Taylor Swift's Change as inspiration, Cindy reflects on how trade professionals can adapt and remain influential during a time when government decision-making has become increasingly centralized. She shares insights from the American Association of Exporters and Importers (AAEI) Conference and explains why relationships, industry engagement, and a unified voice have never been more important.

While several operational updates occurred this week, Cindy focuses on something much broader: how trade professionals can continue to influence policy during a period of significant governmental change.

Drawing from conversations at the AAEI Conference and meetings on Capitol Hill, Cindy explains how the policymaking process has evolved. Traditionally, agencies worked closely with industry stakeholders before major trade decisions were implemented. Today, many decisions originate from a much smaller group within the administration, making it increasingly important for companies to strengthen relationships—not only with Congress, but also with agencies, trade associations, and government affairs professionals.

Her message is simple: don't wait until a policy affects your business. Become involved now, build your network, and ensure your industry's voice is part of the conversation before decisions are made.

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Host: Andy Shiles, Lalo Solorzano

In this episode of Simply Trade, Andy Shiles and Lalo Solorzano welcome Anna Goncz, founder of Export Compliance Academy, for a timely discussion on how U.S. export controls can reach far beyond U.S. borders. The conversation begins with a recent export control development involving access to advanced AI models and quickly expands into a broader look at foreign national access, re-exports, embedded U.S.-origin components, and the impact on EU and other non-U.S. companies.

Anna explains why companies outside the United States cannot assume they are beyond the scope of U.S. regulations, especially when their products include U.S.-origin parts, are made with U.S. technology, or are accessed by foreign nationals. The episode also breaks down practical compliance steps using Anna’s CLEAR framework: Classification, Legislation, Evaluate, Act, and Regulate.

This is a must-listen for trade compliance, legal, IT, engineering, procurement, and executive teams trying to understand today’s fast-moving export control environment.

This episode focuses on the extraterritorial reach of U.S. export controls and how they can apply to EU and other foreign companies. Anna Goncz explains that U.S. export control regulations often follow the item, meaning a product manufactured outside the United States may still be subject to U.S. rules if it contains U.S.-origin components, is based on U.S. technology, or involves controlled access by foreign nationals.

The discussion covers real-world scenarios such as embedded chips, AI model access, re-export licensing, entity list risks, and the importance of coordinating across legal, compliance, IT, HR, engineering, and supplier teams.

C – Classification

Anna emphasizes that classification is the starting point for every export control analysis. Without knowing what an item is and whether it is controlled, companies cannot properly determine licensing requirements, restrictions, or risk.

• U.S. export controls can apply to non-U.S. companies when products include U.S.-origin parts, software, or technology.

• Foreign national access to controlled technology, even inside the United States, may be treated as an export.

• EU companies may need both a local export license and a U.S. re-export license depending on the item, destination, customer, and technology involved.

• Export compliance requires collaboration between compliance, legal, IT, HR, engineering, procurement, and executive leadership.

• Classification is not the same as customs classification and should involve technical experts who understand the product’s performance and specifications.

• Companies should conduct risk assessments, review customer and supplier relationships, document decisions, and stay agile as regulations change quickly.

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