"Trade has become much more complex, and it's become more complex for both government regulatory reasons, but also for business reasons that companies want to save money and they want to not have surprises in their product." - Tom Gould, Industry Expert In this insightful episode, we sit down with Tom Gould, a renowned expert in the global trade industry. Tom shares his extensive career journey, from automating law firms in the early days of the IBM PC to becoming a leading consultant and advisor in the world of international trade. Main Topics and Takeaways: 1. The Timeless Nature of Global Trade - Tom Gould draws parallels between the trade practices of Christopher Columbus's era and the modern supply chain, highlighting the fundamental aspects of global trade that have remained unchanged over centuries. - "Trade is an ancient industry, right? You can go back to the days of Christopher Columbus or the Silk Road, and really what was happening then international trade. And if we look at what was happening back hundreds of years ago in the way of international trade, and we compare it to what's happening today. Over the last few hundreds of years, things have operated very similarly." 2. The Evolving Regulatory Landscape - Tom discusses the growing focus on supply chain traceability, driven by initiatives like the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) and the European Union's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). - "If we look at some of the other initiatives that are out there that the governments are looking at, that the government agencies are looking at, whether it be a forced labor issue, free trade agreements, anti dumping, countervailing duties, or even things like environmental aspects." 3. Challenges in Sustainability and Recycling - Tom highlights the challenges companies face in ensuring the sustainability and ethical sourcing of their products, particularly in the apparel industry, where the recycling of materials has become increasingly difficult. - "The one that I, the one that I, I think about, is recycled. I don't know if you know, but clothing recycling no longer happens, or barely happens anymore. Why is that? Because the companies that bought the recycled material can no longer guarantee that no one fiber in their new in their product that was made with recycled material was made with forced labor." 4. Tom Gould's Expertise and Consulting Areas - Tom shares his top three areas of expertise: retail products, complex duties, and de minimis shipments, highlighting the depth of his knowledge and the value he brings to his clients. This episode provides a comprehensive look at the evolving landscape of global trade, with insights from an industry pioneer, Tom Gould. Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of the historical context, regulatory challenges, and sustainability concerns that companies must navigate in the modern trade environment. Tom's expertise and practical advice offer valuable guidance for importers, exporters, and anyone involved in the complex world of international trade. Enjoy the show! Sign up for the upcoming Forced Labor training (Supply Chain Tracing) here: https://globaltrainingcenter.com/forced-labor-supply-chain-tracing/ Find us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SimplyTradePod Host: Andy Shiles: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyshiles/ Host/Producer: Lalo Solorzano: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lalosolorzano/ Co-Producer: Mara Marquez: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mara-marquez-a00a111a8/ Show references: Global Training Center - www.GlobalTrainingCenter.com Simply Trade Podcast - twitter.com/SimplyTradePod Tom Gould - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomgouldcustoms/ Contact SimplyTrade@GlobalTrainingCenter.com or message @SimplyTradePod for: Advertising and sponsoring on Simply Trade Requests to be on the show as guest Suggest any topics you would like to hear about Simply Trade is not a law firm or an advisor. The topics and discussions conducted by Simply Trade hosts and guests should not be considered and is not intended to substitute legal advice. You should seek appropriate counsel for your own situation. These conversations and information are directed towards listeners in the United States for informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only and should not be In substitute for legal advice. No listener or viewer of this podcast should act or refrain from acting on the basis of information on this podcast without first seeking legal advice from counsel. Information on this podcast may not be up to date depending on the time of publishing and the time of viewership. The content of this posting is provided as is, no representations are made that the content is error free. The views expressed in or through this podcast are those are the individual speakers not those of their respective employers or Global Training Center as a whole. All liability with respect to actions taken or not taken based on the contents of this ...
