WTDC Newsletter – January 16th, 2025

In this week’s WTDC newsletter we cover:

President’s Corner: Labor Resolution and Future Prospects
Trump Proposes External Revenue Service to Collect Tariffs
Strike Averted, USMX and ILA Reach Labor Deal
President-Elect Trump Considers Economic Emergency Declaration for Tariffs: How FTZs Can Assist
WTDC Health and Wellness Spa
Vendor Appreciation: Julio Naranjo Photography
Art in the Workplace

sean gazitua

President’s Corner: Labor Resolution and Future Prospects

I hope everyone’s 2025 is off to a fantastic start and that you’re making strides towards your New Year’s resolutions!

The recent agreement between USMX and ILA brings encouraging news for the logistics industry, averting disruptions to the supply chain on the US East and Gulf coasts, setting a positive tone for the year ahead. The announcement this week from President-elect Trump to introduce a new department, the External Revenue Service, has been quite a surprise. We look forward to seeing if the program rolls out so we can best assist our customer base.

I’m thrilled to announce that my brother, Luis Andre Gazitua, will be joining me on the Adrienne Arsht Center for Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County Trust (AACT) Board of Directors, as the political appointee by Miami-Dade County Commissioner Roberto J. Gonzalez. We look forward to sharing our family’s appreciation of the arts with our community.

Stay healthy,

Sean Gazitua, President & CEO

Trump Proposes External Revenue Service to Collect Tariffs

On January 14th, President-Elect Donald Trump announced plans to establish an “External Revenue Service” (ERS) to collect tariffs. duties, and foreign revenue that will complement the IRS and centralize tariff collection.

Its creation will require Congressional approval, which might face opposition despite a Republican majority. The proposal raises questions of redundancy, as Customs and Border Patrol is responsible for tariff collection.

Monday, January 20th, 2025 marks Trump’s inauguration into office and his designated “birth date” for the ERS, signaling his commitment to advancing the initiative.

AP News: Trump says he will create an ‘External Revenue Service’ agency to collect tariff income

Strike Averted, USMX and ILA Reach Labor Deal

On January 8th, the International Longshoreman’s Association (ILA) and United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) reached an agreement on a six-year contract. The deal prioritizes protecting ILA jobs while creating opportunities through the modernization of ports.

January 15th would have marked the original deadline for the agreement. This agreement ensures that a strike will not occur, maintaining operations across key ports along the U.S. East and Gulf coasts.

Supply Chain Dive: ILA, USMX reach tentative deal on 6-year contract

President-Elect Trump Considers Economic Emergency Declaration for Tariffs: How FTZs Can Assist

On January 8th, President-Elect Donald Trump said he is considering declaring a national economic emergency to implement a universal tariff program under the International Economic Emergency Powers Act (IEEPA).

Trump’s increased tariffs include a 10% tariff on all imports and 60% on goods from China. These change may come faster than expected, posing significant challenges.

As businesses face rising consumer prices and evolving trade policies, Foreign Trade Zones (FTZs) such as WTDC can mitigate the impact of duties and taxes on imported goods. To learn more on how to navigate Trump tariffs with FTZs click here.

Please contact WTDC for FTZ Consulting and FTZ Warehousing services.

Reuters: Trump mulls economic emergency declaration to back universal tariff plans, CNN reports

 

WTDC Health and Wellness Spa

As part of the WTDC Health and Wellness Program, we are excited to unveil a brand new Spa in our facility.

This serene space includes a relaxing lounge, massage room, cold plunge, and sauna. These areas are designed to promote well-being to our employees.

Thank you Cookie Gazitua, wife of Chairman Ralph Gazitua, for your interior design expertise and contributions to making WTDC a health-conscious workplace.

Vendor Appreciation: Julio Naranjo Photography

On January 10th, WTDC honored Julio Naranjo Photography as the Vendor of the Month! Julio has provided exceptional photography services to WTDC, professionally capturing the spirit of our company events and community initiatives. We are grateful for his dedication and involvement in the WTDC community.

Special thanks to Julio for attending our Monthly Awards Ceremony and for your continued contributions to our brand.

Art in the Workplace

Argentinian artist Gaston Carrio recently oversaw the installation of 2 artworks into WTDC from his Hybrid Fusions series. The Gazitua family connected with Carrio last year at the Coconut Grove Arts Festival, procuring a large piece that also hangs at WTDC as part of our Art in the Workplace initiative.

Carrio shared his thoughts on what “Hybrid Fusions” means to him and his dedication to the art of expression:

“Woman In Chains intertwines art, music, and architecture—the very foundation of my earliest passion before becoming an artist. Each piece exhibits a unique style, rhythm, and structure, reflecting my passions and my awe of technological advancements and the spirit of futurism.

The main vision on this series was to celebrate women’s multifaceted nature, capturing their challenges, resilience, sensuality, empowerment, and victory. I deliberately chose to embrace a contrasted abstraction paired with AI tools to create a more profound, detailed, and intimate feeling.”

Carrio will be exhibiting this weekend at the 74th Annual Beaux Arts – Festival of Art (Booth 159) on the University of Miami campus in Coral Gables, FL.