Now, of course, customers can simply go to a grocery store and buy boxes at a time without a second thought to the complex nature of how they came to be in their hands. Non-perishable goods are even easier to come by, requiring the click of a few buttons to get them across countries and seas right to your doorstep. Need a specialized service from someone working in a region hundreds of thousands of miles away? No problem; technology has that solution covered. 

As trade evolves, so do the job roles that support it

Put simply, the movement of goods and services across borders has evolved at a breathtaking pace. Alongside these transformations, the teams that make global commerce possible have grown in both size and sophistication. What was once the domain of a few specialists now involves entire departments dedicated to logistics, technology, supply chain, and trade compliance, the latter being a job area that has recently seen incredible growth. 

Compliance specialization is booming

“Companies with greater than 15% expected growth allocate an average of eight people to trade compliance activities, compared to six in companies anticipating little or no growth,” states a 2025 benchmark study by Descartes Systems Group.

This increase can be attributed to many factors, from geopolitical shifts and tariff policies to shipping disruptions and natural disasters.  

The World Economic Forum also highlights this shift in their paper, Trade Compliance for Leadership, stating, “Non-compliance with new trade requirements could affect hundreds of billions of dollars of trade flows. The stakes are high: compliance safeguards business continuity, avoids supply chain disruption and can be a competitive advantage. It also mitigates the risks of penalties and reputational damage.”  

Customs roles are also becoming a C-suite discussion

Other trade roles seeing expansion include those focused on customs.

“Customs will be used as a business strategy, becoming an important C-Suite level discussion point to navigate the ever-complex international trade waters,” notes a recent article by shipping giant Maersk. And it’s easy to see why.

With a growing web of tariffs, counter-tariffs, and shifting regulations worldwide, importers and exporters must manage their classification codes, documentation, and compliance procedures with precision—or else risk costly penalties and delays. 

And then, there is AI

Virtually all areas of business, including global trade, are being touched by artificial intelligence and associated technologies. In fact, “The global AI in logistics and supply-chain market size was valued at USD 20.1 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 25.9 % between 2025 and 2034,” states a report by Global Market Insights. And these technologies are focused on improving operational cost, streamlining logistics planning, and managing real-time supply chain efficiency—but only if teams are trained on how to operate these new technologies.  

Agility, accuracy, and technology: core focuses for trade teams

All in all, in 2026, trade teams need to lean their roles toward technology, compliance, and risk planning for resiliency.  

The World Economic Forum notes in their Future of Jobs Report that “The most prominent skills differentiating growing from declining jobs are anticipated to comprise resilience, flexibility, and agility; resource management and operations; quality control; programming, and technological literacy.” 

That sets the stage for roles like trade-compliance analyst, customs strategy lead, global trade-technology architect, and import/export risk manager—titles once rare, but now increasingly common.  

A simple browse of current job postings finds top companies like Amazon hiring for Global Trade Compliance PMs or Global Customs Ops Analysts, requiring candidates to have the skills to build scalable trade-compliance programs and broker networks. While grocery chains like Loblaws are looking for Customs and Trade Analysts, roles focused on import and export clearance and risk.  

Globally, there are thousands of jobs focused on customs and international trade compliance, including many on FITT’s job board—making it more important than ever for competitive teams to make these professions a priority for successful international market expansion.

Offshoring, nearshoring, and re-shoring: strategies to mitigate volatility 

With increasingly unpredictable supply chains, companies are also rethinking where and how they allocate their trade teams. Offshoring, nearshoring, and re-shoring have become hot-topic strategies in this conversation—each offering clear advantages and trade-offs. 

• Offshoring refers to relocating production or services to a distant country, often to reduce labour costs or take advantage of specialized expertise. It can yield significant cost savings and access to global talent, but also exposes firms to geopolitical risks, shipping delays, and reduced control over quality and oversight. 

• Nearshoring involves shifting operations or sourcing to a nearby country or region—one that lies closer in geography, culture, or time zone. The proximity allows for faster communication, shorter transit times, and improved responsiveness to market shifts, though it may come with slightly higher labour and logistics costs compared to far-off locations. 

• Re-shoring (or on-shoring) brings previously relocated operations back home, offering the greatest control, supply-chain transparency, and resilience against global disruptions. However, domestic production typically comes with higher costs, and the process of re-establishing facilities and workforces can be both expensive and time-consuming. 

Together, these strategies reflect a broader recalibration of global trade—one that weighs efficiency against resiliency, and cost against certainty. What businesses choose to employ depends on their needs and goals, but they will all have to consider the risky environment in which they exist: 

“Geoeconomic fragmentation and geopolitical tensions are expected to drive business-model transformation in one-third (34 %) of surveyed organizations in the next five years. Over one-fifth (23 %) of global employers identify increased restrictions on trade and investment … as factors shaping their operations,” states the World Economic Forum in their job report, pinpointing the need for businesses to be prepared from all angles.  

Training is a unifying factor for all roles

At the heart of these workforce transitions lies a single, unifying factor—the need for continual training and upskilling. Finding employees with a new set of in-demand skills isn’t something that happens overnight. Most often, it starts with giving current teams training to upgrade their knowledge to current-day trends. 

“If the world’s workforce was made up of 100 people, 59 would need training by 2030. Of these, employers foresee that 29 could be upskilled in their current roles and 19 could be upskilled and redeployed elsewhere within their organization. However, 11 would be unlikely to receive the reskilling or upskilling needed, leaving their employment prospects increasingly at risk,” warns the WEF. 

Lora Rigutto, Partnerships and Community Lead at FITT, agrees. She personally sees how training benefits companies and employees working in international trade daily: 

“I’ve seen how upskilling and trade training can change the trajectory of both employers and employees. Many who complete FITT’s international trade training go on to work in government, policy, and business at some of the world’s leading organizations, while others use that knowledge to grow their own SMEs.”

What really stands out is the value of having a CITP®—someone with a broad, practical understanding of international trade who can connect the full A-to-Z process, from market entry and compliance to sales and growth strategy. Whether in a large enterprise or a small business just getting started, that ability to see the whole picture and bring in accredited knowledge created by business for business, along with industry best practices and frameworks—makes a meaningful difference.” 

The world is changing, but resiliency will always remain a strength

In 2025, it may seem like our world is changing faster than ever. But it’s important to put these shifts into perspective. Only 100 years ago, we were still delivering some products by horse and buggy. 50 years ago, we were sending customs documents via fax machines, and just 25 years ago, the biggest technological threat that dominated the headlines was Y2K. The point being, the world has always been in a state of rapid change, but those who flourish in it, no matter the challenge, remain aware, prepared, and upskilled for those changes. 

Curious about current job roles in trade? Below is a list of popular trade jobs that companies currently hire for: 

See active international trade job listings here 

• International Trade Consultant: Advises companies on entering new markets or expanding globally including assessing tariffs, trade agreements, and regulatory risks and recommending supply chain and market entry strategies 
• Export Manager: Responsible for planning, executing, and overseeing a company’s sales of goods or services into foreign markets; a mix of strategy, operations, and relationship management 
• Commodity Trader: Buys and sells commodities, such as agricultural products or metals, on international markets. 
• Economist: Analyzes data and develops theories related to the production and circulation of goods, services, and resources in a global context. 
• Data Analyst: Analyzes data for companies to help inform business decisions, which can include international market data.  

Logistics and supply chain

• Freight Forwarder: Manages the transportation of goods, including coordinating shipments, choosing carriers, and negotiating terms. 
• Logistics Specialist: Handles the planning and management of international logistics, including warehousing and last-mile delivery. 
• Customs Clearance Specialist: Processes paperwork for inbound and outbound shipments to ensure goods clear customs without delays. 
• Ocean/Air Export/Import Coordinator: Manages the specific details of export or import shipments via sea or air freight.  

Sales, marketing, and business development

• International Sales and Partnerships Manager: Develops and manages relationships with international partners and clients. 
• International Marketing Manager: Creates and implements marketing strategies for products and services in global markets. 
• Business Development Manager: Focuses on expanding a company’s business through new markets, partnerships, and services, often within a specific sector like freight forwarding.  

Compliance and analysis

• Trade Compliance Specialist/Manager: Ensures a company’s operations adhere to all trade regulations, sanctions, and export/import laws. 
• Customs Broker: Acts as an intermediary between businesses and government customs agencies, navigating complex regulations to facilitate the movement of goods. 
• International Trade Analyst: Conducts research and analysis to help companies make informed decisions about global markets and trade policies. 
• Policy Analyst: Researches and analyzes policy outcomes, which can be applied to trade policies and social issues.  

The post Growing global trade jobs: Top roles, skills, and trends to watch in 2026 appeared first on Trade Ready.

A few weeks ago, I spoke at the Economic Development Council in Brownsville, TX about the urgent need to bring manufacturing back to America.  Brownsville is an economically depressed area with 7-8% unemployment rate.  The city is working very hard to attract new manufacturers and jobs to the region by making it an attractive location for factories.

With Trump’s promises to bring manufacturing back, there is a lot of speculation regarding whether this means outsourced jobs will be coming back from Mexico and into the Rio Grande Valley region, including Brownsville. Perhaps, but at what price?

The current economy in Brownsville is dependent on the Mexico-U.S. border crossing that separates the city from Matamoros on the Mexico side. This cross-border trade provides a significant portion of jobs in Brownsville such as import brokers and their staff, truckers, warehousing and distribution services.

South of the border

On the Mexico side of the border there are huge industrial manufacturing sites in Matamoros and the industrial areas of Monterrey. In this region, Mexicans make everything from apparel to electronics and automotive parts.

Companies move to Mexico, to take advantage of low-cost labor and low-cost operating environments. Labor rates in some parts of Mexico are on par with China.

In addition, NAFTA adds to the economic appeal of manufacturing in Mexico by eliminating import tariffs between the three signatory countries: Canada, US, and Mexico.

So what might happen in Brownsville, and all along the Rio Grande Valley border areas if NAFTA is renegotiated or the U.S. withdraws from the treaty altogether, as Trump has promised? There are certainly two sides to this story. About half of the residents in the Rio Grande Valley region voted for Trump and half for Clinton, and they will readily offer their differing opinions.

Not your grandfather’s manufacturing job

No matter what the pundits on either side are predicting, and even if NAFTA is modified or scrapped altogether, it is unlikely that all of these jobs will come back to America. Returning manufacturing to anywhere in the U.S. is likely to provide opportunities to modernize and automate production, thereby reducing operating costs and enhancing productivity – ultimately requiring far fewer workers.

Much has changed in the 20 years since NAFTA came into effect. The jobs needed in advanced manufacturing factories are fewer and very different than they were when American manufacturing headed south to Mexico and west to China.

Today’s advanced manufacturing jobs require a host of new skills and technology, for which workers will have to be retrained.

Advanced factories today are full of robots, computerized machine tools, 3D printing and IoT connected machines. These things require completely different skills from those of even one generation ago.

If the NAFTA treaty ended, the U.S. would be free to increase tariff rates on imports, presumably to make manufacturing in the U.S. seem more cost competitive.  But import tariffs mask the problem and allow companies to get lazy about being cost-efficient.  Instead of focusing on productivity improvements and cost cutting, manufacturers wouldn’t have to do much to compete with higher-priced imports. Tariffs protect companies from foreign competition.  Meanwhile, we know that U.S. consumers will have to pay more for imported goods as well as American-made goods. The consumer loses either way.

Another Smoot- Hawley?

On the other hand, there are economists who say that NAFTA has caused the loss of countless jobs to the lower-cost environments in Mexico, and that these jobs will come back in a post-NAFTA trade environment. They argue that instead of doing nothing, we should take every opportunity to raise all import tariffs, eliminate trade agreements, and close our borders to immigrants and trade. This, some say, will make America competitive, even though there is no gain in productivity or cost reduction in American manufacturing.

What they may be forgetting is that we have gone down this pathway before with the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act of 1930, which raised tariffs on about 900 products.  Historians blame Smoot-Hawley for triggering the Great Depression of the 1930s.  They point out that Smoot-Hawley caused sharp increases in consumer prices, which led to consumers buying fewer products, which in turn led to low demand, lay-offs, high unemployment and ultimately the stock market crash.

For sure, NAFTA has its problems. The import/export paperwork required to track goods moving across the borders and the associated record-keeping can be onerous. Special rules for truckers from Mexico have taken a toll on American truckers, and the effects don’t end there.

But overall, most economists think NAFTA has had a net positive effect on the U.S. economy.

I hope we have learned our lesson from American history. To revitalize American manufacturing we must focus on innovation, automation, productivity and cost efficiency. Let’s not allow history to repeat itself.

For more information on maximizing your supply chain efficiency and navigating the legal issues, check out Rosemary Coates best-selling books 42 Rules for Sourcing and Manufacturing in China and Legal Blacksmith – How to Avoid and Defend Supply Chain Disputes.

The post Eliminating NAFTA might bring back jobs, but at what cost? appeared first on Trade Ready.

3D Printing is a manufacturing process used to create a three-dimensional object by producing successive layers of material under computer control from a digital 3D model.

This still-developing technology has endless applications that are still being explored in sectors such as the auto industry, health care, manufacturing, construction, robotics, education, and modern art. Many have argued that 3D Printing technology and the greater category of replicator technology is ushering in a fourth industrial revolution.

We asked our panel of supply chain experts how this new technology is already revolutionizing the way products are manufactured, moved and sourced, and what they see for the future of this fascinating industry.

Moderator: Audrey Ross (@tresAudrey), Logistics & Customs Specialist at Orchard International Inc., based out of Toronto, ON.

Panelists: 

Dr. Steve Brady (@SCMProfessor), CEO and Founder of Supply Chain Innovations Today, based out of Williamsport, PA.

Sarah Barnes, CITP|FIBP (@ICECORPlog), Director of Marketing & Strategic Sales at ICECORP Logistics, based out of Ottawa, ON.

Denise Montrose (@SmallWorldLLC), Managing Director for logistics and supply chain recruiting firm Small World Recruiting, based in Cleveland, OH.

Who is using 3D technology and printing right now?

A1 defense. Auto industry. Aviation. It’s really everywhere. #tradeelite

— Steve (@SCMProfessor) September 8, 2016

@tresAudrey @FITTNews who isn’t? My favourite is @aspectbiosys in @UBC who are printing human lung tissue. Used for drug testing #tradeelite

— Chris Begley (@BegleyChris) September 8, 2016

What industries would you want to see use 3D Printing who are not currently doing so?

A2 honestly I am not sure who isn’t. Historians are. Food is. The real question isn’t adoption in industry but speed and scope #tradeelite

— Steve (@SCMProfessor) September 8, 2016

We all think 3D technology is the best thing since sliced bread, but is there any downside to it?

Q3 environmental concerns due to energy consumption to run the printers & the dependecy on plastic & then resp of manufacturers #TradeElite

— ICECORP Logistics (@icecorplog) September 8, 2016

How is 3D Printing technology affecting operations? What processes and products are we going to shed?

A4 rapid prototyping. Localized printing could transform 3PL and shipping. Renewed “local” or reshoring. #TradeElite

— Steve (@SCMProfessor) September 8, 2016

Will this technology lead us to lose our appreciation for handcrafted goods in favour of speed and convenience?

A5 it is just another form of “handcrafted” goods, there r still ideas & design behind the products printed 3D #TradeElite #changeofmindset

— ICECORP Logistics (@icecorplog) September 8, 2016

A5 I don’t think we will ever lose our appreciation for handcrafted goods. Still appreciated in the world of mass-production #tradeelite

— Pam Hyatt (@lyricsbypam) September 8, 2016

With all this innovation and customization going on, how will intellectual property rights exist?

A6. I think as w/ all new tech, Governments & regulators are struggling to keep up! #TradeElite

— audrey ross (@tresAudrey) September 8, 2016

3D printing has been called the third industrial revolution, staggering numbers on infograph: https://t.co/Xh7GVI2zQ8 #TradeElite #3D

— ICECORP Logistics (@icecorplog) September 8, 2016

Be honest, is the profitability of 3D Printing going to change your career path or business strategy?

its going to be everywhere, forecasters think 3D printing will show revenues of 21B by 2020 #TradeElite #3Dprinting

— ICECORP Logistics (@icecorplog) September 8, 2016

A6. If Law students are looking to the future, degrees in technology #IP & #patents are going to be the ones to get! #TradeElite

— audrey ross (@tresAudrey) September 8, 2016

@SCMProfessor Good point on workforce as it one of the fastest growing segments for hiring in our industry #tradeelite

— Small World (@SmallWorldLLC) September 8, 2016

Read the rest of the chat and follow future discussions by following the #TradeElite hashtag.

Stay tuned for the next #TradeElite chat, coming up Thursday, October 13 at 2:30-3:30PM ET.

The post Is 3D Printing revolutionizing the supply chain industry? appeared first on Trade Ready.

Although moving manufacturing overseas usually reduces labor costs, doing so often comes with its own set of problems. For this reason, a number of companies have begun to participate in the practice of “reshoring.”

Reshoring refers to when a company that has outsourced its manufacturing overseas brings it back to its own shore, and its own country. The fact that a number of prominent companies have done this recently makes this a significant trend in manufacturing.

What are the benefits of reshoring?

1. Shorter supply lines

If your manufacturer is all the way across the world, it is going to take weeks for finished products to get to their final destinations. This is because they will have to cross the ocean, most likely in a container ship. This journey is very long, and can even be perilous if bad weather strikes.

However, with reshoring, manufacturers could be less than a day’s transport away. Sometimes, manufacturers can even be in the same town or city as their retail or company headquarters. This can dramatically reduce the time to market, speed up the supply chain, and make the company more competitive.

2. More oversight

It can be very difficult to have solid oversight of manufacturing if it is 8,000-12,000 miles away in a foreign country. In order to have someone from your company provide oversight, you would have to fly them halfway around the world. Then they would have to navigate a foreign culture and a foreign language, and fly all the way back upon completion.

The whole process can be time consuming and difficult. However, with reshoring, you can have a local employee oversee manufacturing on a daily basis. This can greatly enhance quality control.

3. Domestic pride

It is a simple concept, but many consumers like to buy products that are made in their own country. These consumers prefer to purchase from companies who employ their fellow citizens. This is because they like to know that the money they spend on products is helping to support American and Canadian workers.

Many consumers have no preference where products are made. However, there are certain types of consumers who have a strong preference for domestic manufacturing.

Which major companies have reshored in recent years?

1. Peerless Industries

Peerless produces audio-visual mounting systems, and was previously outsourcing its manufacturing to Chinese companies. However, they decided to move manufacturing back to America due to rising costs for Chinese labor. The company now manufactures its products in Illinois.

2. Buck Knives

This company produces knives, primarily for hunting and outdoor purposes. Thirty percent of its manufacturing had been moved to China. However, the company recently moved its manufacturing back to Idaho in the U.S. Executives realized that many of its customers were hunters who prefer buying products made in the U.S. to those made in China. It made more sense for them to reshore.

3. Sleek Audio

Sleek Audio makes headphones and other audio equipment. This company has also brought its manufacturing back to the United States from China because it was not happy with its lack of quality control and long wait times from the products to arrive. Reshoring has enabled the company to fix these issues.

A number of other major companies have moved at least part of their manufacturing back to North American shores, including General Electric, Caterpillar, and Master Lock. Considering that average labor wage rates have more than tripled within the past 10 years in China, it is not surprising to see companies beginning to reshore some or all of their manufacturing.

What are the cons of reshoring?

1. Higher labor costs

Labor costs are still generally higher in the United States and Canada than they are in Asia, the Middle East or Africa. For example, a manufacturing worker in China may get paid only a few U.S. dollars per day for what it would cost an American or Canadian worker $12-20 USD per hour.

However, some reports have indicated that the price of offshoring manufacturing will no longer be cost efficient for some companies starting in 2015-2016. The reason is due to the constantly increasing cost of labor in China, and all of the other expenses associated with offshoring, such as shipping.

2. Having to start from scratch

Many of the companies who shipped their manufacturing bases overseas will have to start completely over again if they bring manufacturing back to the United States or Canada. This is because all of their manufacturing infrastructure may have disappeared when they started offshoring.

So, companies who reshore will have to build new factories and plants, and set up brand new supply chains. Doing this may help the company in the long run. However, in the short-term, it could mean that production slows down for a while. This could cost the company a significant amount of money during the switch.

3. Unskilled workers

Many of the people who work in Chinese factories, or in factories in other offshoring countries, have developed skills over the years making products for the Canadian or American markets.

So, if North American companies move manufacturing back to North America, they will then have to spend a lot of time training employees to do the jobs that Chinese, Indian, or Indonesian workers have been doing for years, or pay higher wages to those who already have the necessary skills. Ensuring new employees have all the skills they need will take time and money.

4. Decreased relationships with foreign offshoring companies

If a large American company suddenly decides to pull manufacturing out of China or another outsourcing country and move it home, this could damage relationships with the offshoring companies.

These companies may not be pleased to have to suddenly lay off thousands of workers. So, if something goes wrong with the reshoring endeavor and the North American company needs to move manufacturing back to China, it could be far more complicated than the American company realizes.

The post Is reshoring still an important trend in manufacturing? appeared first on Trade Ready.