Simply Trade

Host: Lalo Solorzano
Guest(s): Denise
Published: June 30, 2026
Length: 21:23
Presented by: Global Training Center

Summary
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.

Main Topic / Discussion
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.

Key Takeaways
• Trade compliance is most effective when departments work as partners, not isolated teams.
• Shared goals help turn competing priorities into collaborative problem-solving.
• Clear roles and expectations reduce defensiveness, confusion, and duplicated work.
• Strong cross-functional relationships lead to fewer border issues, better cost predictability, and a stronger position with customs authorities.

Resources & Mentions
• Global Training Center
• Incoterms training
• CTPAT training
• Tariff classification
• Cross-functional trade compliance training

Credits
Host:
Lalo Solorzano – LinkedIn

Guest(s):
Denise – LinkedIn

Producer:
Mara Marquez

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Host: Warrington Ellacott
Guest(s): Yannick Trudel
Published: June 29, 2026
Length: Approx. 21 minutes
Presented by: Global Training Center

Summary
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.

Main Topic / Discussion
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.

Key Takeaways
• 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.

Resources & Mentions
• Global Training Center
• Canadian Association of Importers and Exporters

Credits
Host:
Warrington Ellacott – LinkedIn

Guest(s):
Yannick Trudel – LinkedIn

Producer:
Mara Marquez

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Host: Cindy Allen
Published: June 26, 2026
Length: ~15 minutes
Presented by: Global Training Center

Summary
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.

This Week in Trade

Reconciliation entries become eligible for the CAPE filing process beginning June 29.

CBP announced several CAPE validation improvements designed to reduce filing errors and retransmissions.

CBP finalized changes to informal mail entry procedures following the end of de minimis treatment.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent indicated that pending Section 301 investigations may ultimately replace former IEEPA tariff collections.

Lawmakers continue raising concerns over declining U.S. manufacturing employment.

USMCA review discussions continue, with another one-year extension appearing increasingly likely.

Main Topic / Discussion
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.

Key Takeaways

CAPE continues to become more efficient through ongoing CBP enhancements.

Informal mail entry procedures continue evolving after the end of de minimis.

Section 301 investigations remain a major focus of the administration's trade agenda.

Supply chain resilience continues to shape U.S. trade policy.

USMCA negotiations are expected to continue beyond the current review period.

Trade professionals should actively participate in industry associations and government affairs efforts.

Relationships remain one of the most valuable tools in navigating today's trade environment.

Resources & Mentions

Global Training Center

Trade Force Multiplier

Cindy Allen – LinkedIn

Producer:

Mara Marquez

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Trade Geeks Community

Host: Andy Shiles, Lalo Solorzano
Guest(s): Anna Goncz
Published: June 25, 2026
Length: 33:46
Presented by: Global Training Center

Summary
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.

Main Topic / Discussion
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.

Anna’s CLEAR Framework
C – Classification
L – Legislation
E – Evaluate
A – Act
R – Regulate

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.

Key Takeaways
• 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.

Resources & Mentions
• Global Training Center
• Export Compliance Academy
• Bureau of Industry and Security

Credits
Host:
Andy Shiles – LinkedIn
Lalo Solorzano – LinkedIn

Guest(s):
Anna Goncz – LinkedIn

Producer:
Lalo Solorzano

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Host: Lalo Solorzano
Guest(s): Denise
Published: June 23, 2026
Length: 19:24
Presented by: Global Training Center

Summary
Trade compliance manuals and SOPs may not be the flashiest part of an import/export program, but they are among the most important. In this episode of Simply Trade Tips, Lalo Solorzano sits down with Global Training Center instructor Denise to discuss why written procedures are essential for keeping trade compliance consistent, repeatable, and scalable.

Denise explains that compliance does not live only in the compliance department. It touches purchasing, shipping, customs entries, finance, recordkeeping, screening, escalation, training, and more. When those processes are not documented, companies rely too heavily on memory, tribal knowledge, and “the way we’ve always done it.” That creates risk when employees leave, roles change, products expand, or regulations shift.

This episode breaks down the difference between a compliance manual and an SOP, what each should include, and where companies should start if they do not already have a formal program in place. The key message: SOPs are not just paperwork. They are the operating system that helps a trade compliance program run with control, clarity, and confidence.

Main Topic / Discussion
This episode focuses on how companies can build stronger trade compliance programs by documenting their processes through compliance manuals and standard operating procedures.

Denise explains that a compliance manual is the big-picture document. It outlines the company’s overall approach to trade compliance, identifies responsibilities, explains key risks, and describes how import and export issues are handled. SOPs, on the other hand, are the step-by-step instructions for specific tasks such as product classification, restricted party screening, export reviews, import entry audits, recordkeeping, escalation, and corrective actions.

The conversation emphasizes that SOPs should be practical, clear, and specific enough for a new employee or backup team member to follow without guessing. The episode also highlights why the people doing the day-to-day work should be involved in creating these procedures, since real-world input makes the documentation usable rather than theoretical.

Key Takeaways
• Trade compliance touches many departments, not just the compliance team.
• Undocumented processes create weak points, especially when employees leave or roles change.
• A compliance manual provides the big-picture map of the company’s trade compliance program.
• SOPs provide the detailed step-by-step directions for specific compliance tasks.
• Companies should start by documenting their highest-risk areas first, such as classification, screening, licensing, recordkeeping, entry reviews, and audits.
• SOPs should include ownership, triggers, steps, required records, exception handling, escalation paths, systems, references, and revision history.
• Written procedures make training easier, audits smoother, and compliance more consistent.
• Strong documentation helps leadership see where risks exist and gives the program room to scale.

Resources & Mentions
• Global Training Center
• Import Compliance Training
• Export Compliance Training
• Trade Compliance Seminars

Credits
Host:
Lalo Solorzano – LinkedIn

Guest(s):
Denise Smalls Altagracia – LinkedIn

Producer:
Lalo Solorzano

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