Simply Trade

Host: Lalo Solorzano and Andy Shiles
Guest(s): Ken Roberts and Tatiana Panzardi
Published: August 13, 2026
Length: ~35 minutes
Presented by: Global Training Center

Summary
The latest U.S. trade numbers are in—and they reveal an economy being reshaped by artificial intelligence, tariffs, changing supply chains, and new patterns in global commerce.

In this quarterly trade update, Lalo Solorzano and Andy Shiles welcome back trade-data expert Ken Roberts, joined by Tatiana Panzardi of WorldCity, to unpack U.S. Census Bureau trade data through the first six months of 2026.

The numbers tell a fascinating story. U.S. trade is up, Mexico is firmly positioned as the nation's leading trading partner, and Port Laredo has returned to the top among U.S. trade gateways by value. But perhaps the biggest shift is happening in technology: computer imports have surged as companies pour billions into AI infrastructure and data centers, changing rankings that were historically dominated by oil and automobiles.

At the same time, passenger-vehicle imports and exports are feeling the effects of tariffs and changing automotive policy.

Beyond the statistics, this episode asks the question that matters to trade professionals and business leaders: What do these numbers mean for your sourcing, markets, contracts, and growth strategy?

Main Topic / Discussion
U.S. trade is undergoing a structural shift.

Ken and Tatiana walk through the latest trade data and explain how AI investment, tariffs, energy, automotive trade, and supply-chain realignment are changing which commodities, countries, and ports dominate U.S. commerce.

One of the clearest signals is the extraordinary growth in computer imports. Through the first six months of 2026, the episode reports computer imports at approximately $194.4 billion, compared with roughly $101.4 billion during the same period in 2025. Much of that growth is tied to servers and infrastructure supporting AI data centers.

Meanwhile, Mexico remains central to U.S. trade, while Taiwan, Vietnam, South Korea, and other Asian economies are becoming increasingly important within changing global supply chains.

The automotive story looks different. Passenger-vehicle imports have declined amid tariffs, while exports to several major markets have also weakened. The discussion explores what that means for specialized automotive ports and for companies navigating higher costs and shifting demand.

Ultimately, the hosts bring the data back to business strategy: understanding trade trends can help companies identify new export markets, rethink sourcing, anticipate supply-chain changes, and spot opportunities before competitors do.

Key Takeaways
• AI is rewriting the U.S. import rankings. Massive investment in servers and data-center infrastructure has pushed computers ahead of categories such as passenger vehicles and oil, illustrating how quickly AI investment is affecting physical trade flows.

• Mexico's importance continues to grow. Mexico ranks as the leading U.S. trade partner in the data discussed, including its critical role in both imports and exports, while Port Laredo has again become the nation's leading trade gateway by value.

• Supply chains continue shifting away from China. Taiwan, Vietnam, South Korea, and other Asian markets are taking increasingly prominent positions as tariffs, technology investment, and sourcing strategies reshape longstanding trade patterns.

• Trade data should be a business-development tool. Importers, exporters, executives, and small-business owners can use commodity, country, and port data to identify growing markets, sourcing opportunities, emerging demand, and potential risks.

Resources & Mentions
• Global Training Center

• USTradeNumbers

• Ken Roberts on Forbes

Credits
Host:
Lalo Solorzano
Andy Shiles

Guest(s):
Ken Roberts - LinkedIn
Tatiana Panzardi - LinkedIn

Producer:
Lalo Solorzano

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Host: Victoria Schneider
Guest(s): Elisabeth Sherrell, Lynda Thomas
Published: TBD
Length: ~21 minutes
Presented by: Global Training Center

Summary
What do corn dogs, introverts, an Applebee’s, and international trade compliance have in common? More than you might expect.

In this candid, behind-the-scenes conversation, host Victoria Schneider sits down with Elisabeth Sherrell and ICPA co-founder Lynda Thomas for a look at the people, stories, and relationships behind the International Compliance Professionals Association (ICPA).

Lynda shares the unlikely career path that took her from nearly managing customer service for a corn dog company to a career in logistics and trade compliance. The conversation then explores a familiar truth across the industry: very few people grow up planning to work in trade. Yet today, tariffs, supply chains, forced labor, sourcing, and global commerce have become part of everyday conversation—and trade compliance professionals are more important than ever.

The group also reflects on ICPA’s beginnings, its pioneering Q&A network, the power of learning from different perspectives, and the personal legacy behind an organization built to feel as much like a family as a professional association.

It’s a funny, personal, and heartfelt look at how a niche profession created a remarkable community.

Main Topic / Discussion
This episode explores the human side of trade compliance and the origins and evolution of ICPA. Victoria, Elisabeth, and Lynda discuss how professionals find their way into trade, why collaboration has always been central to the industry, and how ICPA grew from a simple idea—connecting people who needed better access to information—into a professional community.

The conversation also looks ahead as trade becomes increasingly visible to consumers and businesses. With tariffs, sourcing, forced labor, and supply-chain issues now part of mainstream conversations, the need for knowledgeable trade professionals—and strong professional networks—continues to grow.

Building a Community, Not Just an Association
Lynda recalls how ICPA’s Q&A concept began as a way to connect professionals who were independently searching for answers. Rather than treating knowledge as a competitive advantage, ICPA encouraged members to share perspectives, experiences, and solutions.

Elisabeth also reflects on carrying forward the legacy created by ICPA’s founders and preserving what makes the organization distinctive: serious education delivered within a welcoming, approachable community.

A Place for Introverts—and Every Kind of Trade Professional
The conversation explores why networking can be challenging for the many introverts working in trade compliance. Lynda shares how relationships and professional communities can help people stretch beyond their comfort zones, while Victoria highlights the value of bringing new and younger professionals into the industry.

Key Takeaways
• Few people intentionally set out to become trade compliance professionals, but unexpected career paths can lead to rewarding, long-term opportunities in the field.

• Trade compliance has become increasingly visible as tariffs, supply chains, sourcing, and forced labor move into mainstream consumer and business conversations.

• The best answer to a compliance challenge may not be the only answer. Sharing different perspectives can help professionals develop stronger solutions.

• ICPA’s strength comes from combining professional education with a trusted network where people can learn, connect, and support one another.

Resources & Mentions
• Global Training Center

• International Compliance Professionals Association (ICPA)

• Global Trade Pathways Conference

Credits
Host:
Victoria Schneider

Guest(s):
Elisabeth Sherrell
Lynda Thomas

Producer:
Lalo Solorzano

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Host: Cindy Allen
Published: August 7, 2026
Length: ~15 min
Presented by: Global Training Center

Summary
International trade compliance is getting more complicated—and the tools used to enforce it are getting smarter.

In this week’s Simply Trade update, Cindy Allen puts a trade-compliance spin on Taylor Swift’s The Tortured Poets Department and breaks down a busy week of tariff changes, forced-labor developments, enforcement activity, and technology.

Cindy examines new Section 232 developments affecting pharmaceuticals, solar-grade polysilicon and derivative products, along with proposed additions to existing copper, steel, and aluminum measures. The growing focus on derivative products means importers increasingly need visibility beyond the finished good, including components, raw materials, suppliers, pricing, origin, and potential exemptions.

She also explores CBP’s increasing reliance on AI and advanced analytics, recent duty-evasion findings, UFLPA developments, China’s countermeasures, and complications surrounding IEEPA duty refunds.

The bigger message for trade professionals: enforcement isn’t likely to disappear. As governments gain better analytical capabilities, companies need equally strong visibility into their supply chains. Technology can help uncover risk—but experienced trade professionals still have to interpret the data and make the right compliance decisions.

This Week in Trade
• New Section 232 requirements affecting solar-grade polysilicon and derivative products are adding another layer of supply-chain complexity.

• Commerce has proposed adding 14 products to existing Section 232 measures covering copper, steel, and aluminum.

• CBP’s roadmap through 2030 highlights AI, analytics, interoperability, and increasingly sophisticated enforcement capabilities.

• Forced-labor enforcement, China countermeasures, duty-evasion cases, and IEEPA refund validation issues continue to create compliance challenges.

Main Topic / Discussion
The trade environment is moving beyond traditional questions about classification, value, and country of origin. Importers increasingly need visibility deep into their supply chains to understand the components and raw materials contained in finished products, the parties involved, applicable pricing rules, and whether exemptions apply.

At the same time, CBP is becoming more sophisticated in how it identifies risk. Advanced analytics can connect activity across suppliers and transactions that an importer may not immediately see.

For companies, that makes supply-chain visibility and technology increasingly important. AI can help organize and analyze enormous amounts of trade data, but technology alone isn't the answer. Trade professionals still need to evaluate the results, understand the regulatory context, and determine the actual compliance risk.

Key Takeaways
• Section 232 derivative-product measures mean importers may need visibility all the way down to component and raw-material levels.

• CBP’s growing use of AI and analytical tools makes deeper supply-chain connections easier for enforcement teams to identify.

• Companies should not assume heightened enforcement will disappear with future political or leadership changes.

• Trade teams should evaluate whether their existing technology provides enough visibility to identify tariff exposure, exemptions, forced-labor concerns, and supplier-level risks before regulators do.

Resources & Mentions
• Global Training Center

• U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

• Section 232 tariffs and derivative-product requirements

• Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA)

• CBP Office of Field Operations 2030 roadmap

• Trade Force Multiplier

Credits
Host:
Cindy Allen

Guest(s):
N/A

Producer:
Lalo Solorzano

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Host: Victoria Schneider and Lalo Solorzano
Guest(s): Elisabeth Sherrell and Lynda Thomas
Published: August 6, 2026
Length: Approximately 26 minutes
Presented by: Global Training Center

Summary
What does the future of professional development look like for trade compliance professionals?

In this episode, Victoria Schneider and Lalo Solorzano introduce a new monthly Simply Trade check-in with the International Compliance Professionals Association and explore the reimagined ICPA Global Trade Pathways Conference.

Victoria, Elisabeth Sherrell, and ICPA co-founder Lynda Thomas explain why the event is no longer simply a smaller version of ICPA’s annual conference. Instead, it is being designed as a distinct experience for professionals at every stage of their careers—from students and newcomers to experienced compliance leaders.

The conversation covers the conference’s new professional development track, which complements technical trade education with practical skills such as leadership, communication, networking, organization, presentation development, and self-assessment.

The group also discusses professional certifications, certification preparation through Global Training Center, ICPA’s work with University of North Texas students, the importance of building a stronger talent pipeline, and ICPA’s expanding educational presence in Mexico and the Asia-Pacific region.

Above all, this episode highlights the supportive community behind ICPA—a place where trade professionals can find education, career opportunities, meaningful connections, and people who understand the challenges of the profession.

Main Topic / Discussion
The ICPA Global Trade Pathways Conference is being redesigned as a standalone educational and professional-development experience rather than a smaller version of ICPA’s annual conference.

Its programming brings together technical trade education, career development, certification opportunities, networking, and community building. Attendees can follow pathways suited to their experience level while developing the interpersonal and leadership skills needed to advance their careers.

Professional Development Beyond Technical Knowledge
Technical expertise may help someone become an effective compliance professional, but advancing into leadership often requires additional abilities.

The professional development track will address topics such as:

• Understanding personal communication and working styles
• Developing leadership skills
• Networking as an introvert
• Delivering more impactful presentations
• Staying organized in challenging environments
• Connecting personal strengths with long-term career goals

Certifications and Exam Preparation
ICPA has selected five specialized international trade certifications that address meaningful areas of the profession, including export controls, imports, freight forwarding, logistics, and ITAR.

The conference will provide live proctoring for certification exams, but attendees should prepare before arriving. The conference sessions alone are not intended to serve as complete exam preparation.

Global Training Center has developed study roadmaps and preparation options, including an ITAR cohort led by Lila Landis, to help professionals prepare for these rigorous exams.

Building the Next Generation of Trade Professionals
ICPA is also working with students from the University of North Texas supply chain and logistics program.

Students will have opportunities to attend sessions, meet service providers, explore employment possibilities, and learn how trade compliance can become a visible and rewarding career path.

A Community Built Around Connection
Education remains central to ICPA events, but the organization also emphasizes the personal connections created at its conferences.

Attendees can meet peers facing similar challenges, exchange advice, build professional networks, discover job opportunities, and feel recognized within a profession that is often misunderstood or undervalued.

Key Takeaways
• The Global Trade Pathways Conference is a distinct event—not a smaller version of the ICPA Annual Conference.

• Professional advancement requires communication, leadership, presentation, networking, and organizational skills in addition to technical expertise.

• ICPA’s certification program gives trade professionals additional ways to demonstrate specialized knowledge and commitment to the industry.

• Certification exams are intentionally rigorous and require advance preparation beyond attending conference sessions.

• Partnerships with universities can introduce students to trade compliance and help strengthen the industry’s future talent pipeline.

• The most valuable part of an ICPA conference may be the community of professionals who share experiences, advice, opportunities, and support.

• ICPA plans to continue expanding its international education through conferences in Mexico and a future return to the Asia-Pacific region.

Resources & Mentions
• Global Training Center

• 2026 ICPA Global Trade Pathways Conference

• International Compliance Professionals Association

• University of North Texas

• Global Training Center ITAR certification preparation with Lila Landis

• International Trade Certification Program

• ITAR and EAR education

• Import, export, freight-forwarding, and logistics certifications

Credits
Host:
Victoria Schneider

Lalo Solorzano

Guest(s):
Elisabeth Sherrell - LinkedIn

Lynda Thomas - LinkedIn

Producer:
Mara Marquez

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A year of making international trade make sense—one Taylor Swift song at a time.
Host: Cindy Allen
Published: July 31, 2026
Length: ~16:19
Presented by: Global Training Center

Summary
One year ago, Cindy's Version debuted with a simple mission: make international trade news easier to understand—one Taylor Swift song at a time. In this anniversary episode, Cindy celebrates the milestone while tackling another week packed with major developments impacting importers, customs brokers, and global supply chains.

Using Taylor Swift's "...Ready For It?" as the theme, Cindy explores the latest discussions surrounding de minimis changes, duty enforcement, USMCA negotiations, new pharmaceutical Section 232 tariffs, and CBP's continued focus on trade enforcement. More importantly, she explains why companies should stop reacting to trade actions and instead prepare for them through proactive planning.

The episode's biggest takeaway isn't tied to any single tariff announcement. It's about building an organizational playbook that brings together compliance, finance, legal, procurement, sales, and executive leadership before the next trade action arrives. With regulatory changes becoming more frequent and enforcement continuing to increase, preparation has become one of the most valuable competitive advantages a company can have.

Whether you're an importer, customs broker, compliance professional, or executive responsible for global supply chains, this anniversary episode offers practical guidance for staying ready in today's constantly evolving trade environment.

This Week in Trade
• CBP receives extensive feedback on proposed de minimis changes and postal parity concerns.

• CBP announces more than $1 billion recovered through Enforce and Protect Act (EAPA) duty evasion investigations.

• USMCA negotiations continue amid reported disagreements surrounding Sections 232 and 301 tariffs.

• New Section 232 requirements for patented pharmaceuticals introduce additional reporting responsibilities for importers and customs brokers.

Main Topic / Discussion
International trade has entered an era where regulatory changes occur regularly rather than occasionally. Cindy explains why companies should move beyond reacting to each announcement and instead establish a repeatable response process.

Rather than focusing solely on individual tariff actions, organizations should develop a cross-functional trade playbook that identifies affected products, evaluates financial exposure, assesses contractual obligations, communicates with suppliers and customers, and enables leadership to make informed decisions quickly.

Preparation—not prediction—is becoming the defining characteristic of successful trade compliance programs.

Key Takeaways
• Trade enforcement continues to accelerate, making strong compliance programs more valuable than ever.

• High-quality supply chain data is essential for responding quickly to new trade actions.

• Cross-functional planning involving finance, legal, procurement, sales, and compliance should be documented before regulatory changes occur.

• Companies that develop repeatable trade response playbooks will be better positioned to navigate future tariffs and enforcement actions.

Resources & Mentions
• Global Training Center — https://www.globaltrainingcenter.com?utm_source=SimplyTradePodcast

• Trade Force Multiplier - https://www.linkedin.com/company/trade-force-multiplier-llc/?utm_source=SimplyTradePodcast

• Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)

• USMCA

• Section 232 Tariffs

• Enforce and Protect Act (EAPA)

Credits
Host

Cindy Allen
https://www.linkedin.com/in/cindy-allen-a3188210/

Guest(s)

N/A

Producer

Lalo Solorzano
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lalosolorzano/?utm_source=SimplyTradePodcast

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