In general, what effects do you think that global supply chains have had on retail consumers?

When a company expands its supply chain to include trade partners in other countries, what are the benefits and what are the risks involved for that company?

Why are import flows of ocean vessel cargo and air cargo into the United States considered to be the front$-$haul? And why are export flows from the United States by these modes considered to be the back$-$haul? Under what circumstances would the front$-$haul and back$-$haul reverse their directions?

The value$-$to$-$weight ratios calculated for water and air showed a big difference between these two modes of transportation. Where would you place the motor carrier, rail, and pipeline modes in a rough ranking of value$-$to$-$weight ratios from lowest to highest? Why?

Why would international logistics costs be lower if carriers could fill their back$-$hauls with more freight and$/$or passengers?

Considering how they are constructed and enforced, which type of trade barrier do you think an international logistics manager would find more straightforward to deal with: a tariff on imports or a non$-$tariff barrier on imports?

Overall, do you think that cabotage regulations are beneficial to the country that enacts them? Or do you think that they impose a business cost that is not justifiable? Is your answer the same for all modes of transportation?