The turmoil at ports jammed by peak-season imports is drawing more attention from regulators. The top U.S.
maritime watchdog is jumping into the fray with an investigation of whether shipping lines are harming exporters by holding back containers. Agriculture exporters claim the carriers’ push to quickly return empty boxes to China leaves them without the containers needed to ship goods abroad. The Federal Maritime Commission will look at whether carriers are violating U.S. shipping law.
GM is switching sides in the legal fight against California’s right to set its own clean-air standards, abandoning the Trump administration as the president’s term nears its close. CEO Mary Barra said in a letter to environmental groups that GM will no longer support the Trump administration in its defense against a lawsuit over its efforts against California’s standards. GM is urging other automakers to do the same. Barra says it agrees with Pres.-elect Biden’s plan to expand electric vehicle use.