WTDC Newsletter – March 17, 2025:
Please find these topics covered in today’s newsletter:
- President’s Corner: Honoring my Grandmother
- Tariffs and FTZ Article from Sean Gazitua in Travel Markets Insider
- Tariff Updates
- Vendor Appreciation – AE Global
- Bandhwari Women’s Project
- BlackRock leads buyout of Panama Canal and other Ports
President’s Corner: Honoring my Grandmother
On March 8th, International Women’s Day and WTDC’s 48th Anniversary, I had the opportunity to speak about my late grandmother, Mercedes Gazitua, during a networking event hosted by Women in Travel Retail at 2025 IAADFS Summit of the Americas.
My grandmother Mercedes was a true pioneer in the Miami logistics industry. Reflecting on her legacy and contributions reminds me of the deep roots and enduring impact my family has on the logistics community.
I am grateful to Women in Travel Retail for providing a platform to honor and to celebrate influential figures in our industry.
Stay healthy,
Sean Gazitua, President & CEO
Tariffs and FTZ Article from Sean Gazitua in Travel Markets Insider
WTDC President and CEO Sean Gazitua discussed the significant impact of U.S. tariffs on international trade in this Travel Markets Insider article.
Gazitua highlights how Foreign Trade Zones (FTZs), such as WTDC, play a role in helping companies mitigate these tariffs by allowing the importation, storage, and processing of goods without immediate duty payments:
“U.S. Foreign Trade Zones, such as WTDC, assist companies with mitigating tariffs by allowing goods to be imported, stored, processed, or assembled without immediately incurring customs duties. FTZs are secure areas under U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) supervision and are considered outside CBP territory. FTZs have streamlined customs documentation and procedures, reducing paperwork and improving the time it takes to bring cargo from the port or airport into the FTZ.
In an FTZ, companies can defer, reduce, or even eliminate tariffs on goods that are re-exported or used in manufacturing.”
If you are interested in FTZ services or have any inquiries please feel free to contact us. Read more below!
TMI: Will tariffs impact duty free and travel retail shipping?
Tariff Updates
Reciprocal tariffs affecting U.S. trading partners are scheduled to start April 2nd, following the expiration of trade agreements with Canada and Mexico.
President Donald Trump’s recent announcement that a 200% tariff on all alcohol products imported from European countries was in response to new EU tariffs retaliating against U.S. steel and aluminum tariffs. Chris Swonger, President and CEO of the Distilled Spirits Council, states imposing such tariffs “at a time when the spirits industry continues to face a slowdown in the U.S. marketplace will further curtail growth and negatively impact distillers and farmers across the country.”
The European Union and Canada have swiftly announced billions in counter-tariffs, while other nations like the UK and Mexico adopt more cautious stances. The EU will implement $28 billion in retaliatory tariffs in April, targeting bourbon, jeans, and motorcycles. Meanwhile, Canada is targeting $20.6 billion in tariffs on metal, computers, and sports equipment.
NPR: As global tariff tensions rise, here’s the latest on U.S. trade with top partners
Vendor Appreciation – AE Global
On March 14th, WTDC was thrilled to announce AE Global as our Vendor of the Month! AE Global has been an indispensable partner, providing essential materials for our warehousing operations since 2016, and before that we worked with them as Acorn East and Aviation Express.
A special thanks to Nicole Anzalone and Jose Mora from AE Global for joining us at our February Awards Ceremony! We are grateful for their continued partnership.
Bandhwari Women’s Project
Congratulations to WTDC Interns and FIU students Brianna Page and Amanda Garcia on their recent trip to India as part of Bandhwari Women’s Project This FIU International Business Honor Society (IBHS) program initiative fosters a partnership between the women of Bandhwari, India, and IBHS students. This IBHS alternative spring break program fosters financial independence for Bandhwari women through the international sales of hand-made products crafted from recycled saree fabric.
Ms. Page, President of IBHS, and Ms. Garcia, are deeply involved in IBHS and the community. In Bandhwari. they engaged with local women and students from India’s Symbiosis International University to enhance the project’s business plan. The trip also included visits to landmarks in New Delhi, Ranthambore, Jaipur, and Agra, where they had the opportunity to visit the breathtaking Taj Mahal.
Dr. David Wernick, FIU IBHS Advisor and professor, has been instrumental in organizing this annual service trip to Bandhwari for nearly a decade. We extend our heartfelt thanks to him for his continued leadership.
WTDC is proud to sponsor an annual scholarship competition for the Bandhwari Women’s Project.
BlackRock leads buyout of Panama Canal and other Ports
Hong Kong conglomerate CK Hutchinson Holding agreed to sell its controlling stake in Hutchison Port Holdings and Hutchison Port Group Holdings to a consortium led by BlackRock Inc., giving control over 43 ports in 23 countries. This includes ports of Cristobal and Balboa in the Panama Canal as well as ports in Mexico, the Netherlands, Australia and Pakistan.
As 70% of traffic that crosses the Panama Canal is to or from U.S. ports, this transaction comes after heightened U.S. scrutiny over the control and operation of the Panama Canal.
The deal is pending approval from Panama’s government, the proposal excludes any interests in ports located in China.
AP News: BlackRock strikes deal to bring ports on both sides of Panama Canal under American control
