The European Union is opening a new front in the burgeoning global battle over electric-vehicle supply chains. Brussels plans to impose new tariffs on imported Chinese EVs, in a move aimed at pulling together European countries divided over China’s exporting juggernaut and gaining Beijing’s cooperation in an anti-subsidy investigation. The WSJ’s William Boston and Kim Mackrael report the new tariffs range from 21% to about 38%, and come on top of the EU’s existing 10% levy on the Chinese cars. The tariffs are well below the duties that the U.S. recently announced, likely blunting how much they can disrupt the flow of Chinese EVs to the continent. Volkswagen is among the opponents to the tariffs. The carmaker faces growing competition from Chinese manufacturers like BYD, but it has a sprawling factory in the country and VW’s fortunes have become deeply entwined with China as a base for its exports.

• China has started exporting new-energy vehicles by container to rush them to Europe ahead of new tariffs. (The Loadstar)
• European battery component maker Umicore is warning of a rapid deterioration in demand in recent weeks as the electric-vehicle market slows. (Financial Times)
• China’s BYD is extending its EV technology into transit with the shipment of fast-charging monorail cars to Brazil. (Nikkei Asia)

Gretchen McCarthy found the solution to a multibillion-dollar inventory problem, at least in part, in Target’s own stores. The chief supply chain and logistics officer at the retailer tells the WSJ Logistics Report’s Liz Young in a podcast interview that the effort included close cooperation between the company’s supply-chain group, merchandising and planning experts “to ensure that we had the right clarity” on fast-changing consumer buying patterns. The effort was part of a push by retailers to pare back a stockpile of goods that had built up during pandemic-driven disruption. McCarthy and her team trimmed just about $2 billion in inventory over two years as they scrambled to keep up with sharp changes in consumer spending. Part of the solution was to use stores to handle fulfillment of online orders, a strategy that required that Target streamline its inventory and make its supply chain more nimble.

The Federal Reserve held its benchmark interest rate steady and officials penciled in just one rate cut for this year. (WSJ)

The U.K.’s economy was flat in April as the country’s recovery sputtered to a halt. (WSJ)

China’s factory-gate prices fell 1.4% in May, the 20th straight monthly contraction. (WSJ)

The International Energy Agency predicts that global oil markets are headed toward a major glut by the end of this decade. (WSJ)

FedEx is reducing its headcount in Europe by up to 2,000 people. (WSJ)

Alibaba has shown recent success, but analysts say growing competition could prevent it from regaining its past market dominance. (WSJ)

America is coping with a shortage of Zyn nicotine pouches as manufacturer Philip Morris tries to ramp up production. (WSJ)

Thousands of delivery drivers filed legal claims against Amazon over the company’s classification of them as independent contractors. (Associated Press)

A suspected sea drone struck and significantly damaged a Greek-owned, Liberia-flagged bulk vessel off Yemen. (Splash 247)

A judge ordered the arrest of a Mediterranean Shipping vessel that lost control at South Carolina’s Port of Charleston and allegedly damaged a bulk-cargo terminal pier. (TradeWinds)

Skincare products supplier Aqua Bio is acquiring Norwegian logistics and customs specialist Jetcarrier. (Law360)

Gartner says supply chain and procurement executives are better off focusing on near-term, immediate risks than on long-term challenges. (Supply Chain Xchange)

Paul Page is editor of WSJ Logistics Report. Reach him at paul.page@wsj.com.

Follow the WSJ Logistics Report team: @PaulPage, @bylizyoung and @pdberger. Follow the WSJ Logistics Report on X at @WSJLogistics.