Tradebreaker - October 2025

How ImportGenius shapes the news

Welcome to the first edition of Tradebreaker, a monthly roundup of news stories featuring contributions from ImportGenius. This month, ImportGenius data was used to: 

• Track the movement of restricted goods, such as AI computer chips flowing into China and dual-use technologies from Europe assisting Russia’s economic militarization.
• Show the impact of tariffs on specific products, from Christmas tree shortages to sneaker price hikes. 
• Find out just how many shipments of radioactive Indonesian shrimp found their way into U.S. ports.  

Front-page headlines

This month’s top stories

China skirts export restrictions on NVIDIA’s AI chips 

A Mystery CEO and Billions in Sales: Is China buying banned NVIDIA chips? - The New York Times - Ana Swanson, Tripp Mickle, Paul Mozur, and Mara Hvistendahl | ImportGenius data helped uncover how nearly $2 billion worth of NVIDIA AI microchips were purchased by a US branch of a sanctioned Chinese company, and potentially sent to China — part of a complex web involving NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang and a little-known Singaporean tech company, Megaspeed. 

‍Tree shortages loom as Christmas approaches

Decorating home for Christmas? Holiday goods shortages are coming - CNBC - Lori Ann LaRocco | ImportGenius data shows that National Tree Company’s imports are down by more than 50% year-over-year in August and September. Director of Research William George comments on the severity of the potential shortage. 

Nike hikes online prices in response to tariffs

Nike prices are rising year into CEO Elliott Hill's turnaround plan - CNBC - Lori Ann LaRocco | Using ImportGenius data to track the company’s imports, it seems that tariffs have eaten into Nike’s discounts for online purchases, with increases of 14-18% in the past year. 

Learn how tariffs are impacting your business sector

Inventory shortages and rising prices are part of the new normal in global trade. Sign up with ImportGenius to find out how your competitors are faring amid the new tariff régime, and the strategies they are employing to keep their businesses resilient. 

Business news

Tariffs, sanctions, trade restrictions and more

Venezuela skirts sanctions with coal

Searching for income and despite environmental fears, Venezuela boosts coal output - Reuters | In need of hard currency amid crushing sanctions, Venezuela has ramped up coal production. ImportGenius data identified a Turkish company, Glenmore, as a key importer in the effort.

Shrimpgate! Radioactive prawns spawn multiple headlines

The story of cesium-137 contaminated shrimp made news throughout September and October, with ImportGenius’ data on shrimp imports from Indonesian company BMG foods figuring prominently in numerous articles. 

Radioactive Metal at Indonesian Industrial Site Could Be Linked to Removed U.S. Shrimp - AP News - Jonel Aleccia

After massive shrimp recalls, the FDA finds radioactive contamination in spices too - AP News - Jonel Aleccia 

Why Are Some Shrimp Radioactive? - Consumer Reports - Paris Martineau Domino Effect Findings Of Cesium-137 Contamination In Shrimp From Indonesia - Voice of Indonesia - Editorial Team 

Investigations 

Illicit and nefarious activity, exposed

How Russia retooled for war — with Europe’s help  

Machines for War: How Europe Armed Russia on the Eve of a Full-Scale Invasion - Trap Aggressor - Dylan Carter | The Tools of War platform used ImportGenius data to identify roughly $3.4 billion worth of potential dual-use industrial equipment that flowed into Russia from Europe before its 2022 invasion of Ukraine, part of a yearslong effort to produce war matériel. . 

How Ukraine armed for war — with Russia’s help

Ukrainian kamikaze drones "flew out" of Tekhnosila: the schemes of the ex-owner of the chain of stores Kokorich led to treason - Russia Today | Mikhail Kokorich, a former Russian billionaire who now lives in Europe, sold drones to the Ukrainian military. Russia Today used Import Genius data to track the shipments of drones by his company to Ukraine from 2022 to 2025. 

Cutting down the rainforest to make environmentally-friendly jet fuel

How a Texas refinery turns Amazon-destroying cattle into 'green' jet fuel - Reuters - Fabio Teixeira, Manuela Andreoni and Allison Lampert | Beef tallow is used to make environmentally-friendly blends of jet fuel. But is it still eco-friendly when the beef comes from illegally deforested areas of the Amazon? That’s what ImportGenius data helped uncover.

Looking ahead 

News to watch: The IG research team’s picks

Patrick’s Pick: 2025 Ship Sales Experience Slowdown - Hellenic Shipping News | Bulk ship sales are down thirteen percent from last year and tanker ship sales down twenty percent. The leading buyer in this weakening market is China, which has acquired 80 vessels, further increasing their control of global shipping capacity.‍

William’s Pick: Landmark deal to cut global shipping emissions in tatters after US pressure - BBC | Shipping emission, which currently account for 3% of global totals, are projected to more than double by 2050. This deal was poised to make shipping the world’s first industry with internationally mandated emissions reductions targets. The Trump administration and Saudi Arabia managed to delay its implementation for at least a year.‍

Lynn’s Pick:  If Trump loses his tariff lawsuit, America may have to refund businesses more than $200 billion - CNN | Both the lower and appeals courts have agreed that mass tariffs like this are beyond the scope of their enabling legislation, the International Emergency Economic Power Act, but there’s still a chance the administration will sway the Supreme Court in its favor. 

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