The automotive sector is bucking the global trade slowdown. Auto exports from Europe and Asia are surging as the U.S. and other countries lavish subsidies on electric vehicles and dealers replenish inventories. The WSJ’s Jason Douglas reports the expansion shows how the West’s embrace of industrial policies aimed at stimulating domestic manufacturing and reducing the use of fossil fuels is causing wrinkles in trade patterns. German manufacturers exported around 2.6 million new passenger cars in the 10 months through October, up 22% year over year, and South Korean and Japanese auto exports have accelerated, in part thanks to U.S. tax breaks for electric cars. China earlier this year became the world’s biggest auto exporter, with outbound shipments up 71% in the third quarter compared with average monthly exports in 2021. The need to refill lots that were left with sparse inventories is one factor propelling global exports.

• Unionized workers at Ford and Stellantis joined General Motors staffers in ratifying a new labor agreement. (WSJ)

One of the world’s biggest coal shippers is betting on a big move away from the commodity. Mining giant Glencore recently agreed to a multimillion-dollar deal that will eventually rid the company of its coal mines. The WSJ’s Julie Steinberg reports the big strategic shift will allow Glencore to focus on bolstering its position as a major supplier of metals needed for electric-vehicle batteries and other green technologies. Under the plan set in motion last week, Glencore will buy Canadian miner Teck Resources’ coal business, combine it with its coal operations and spin off the entity in about two years. Glencore CEO Gary Nagle has said the world still needs the commodity as it transitions to new energy sources. According to the Association of American Railroads, U.S. coal-fired electricity generation was down 21.6% from last year in the first eight months of 2023, accounting for 16.2% of total generation.

• Australia’s Fortescue Metals plans to build a plant in the U.S. for hydrogen generators, electric-vehicle batteries and other clean energy products. (Nikkei Asia)

The cost of imported goods in the U.S. has fallen 2% in the past year, or 1% excluding fuel. (MarketWatch)

U.K. retail sales fell unexpectedly in October in the second straight monthly decline. (Dow Jones Newswires)

Goodyear Tire & Rubber will shut down two manufacturing facilities in Germany as part of a turnaround plan in the region. (WSJ)

Nikola CFO Anastasiya Pasterick is leaving the company only a few months after taking the position. (WSJ)

Gap’s comparable-store sales declined 2% last quarter but a 22% reduction in inventory helped boost margins. (WSJ)

Thrasio, a startup that raised billions of dollars to buy up consumer brands sold on Amazon, is preparing to file for bankruptcy. (WSJ)

A British union says Amazon workers in other countries plan to join a walkout at a large U.K. fulfillment center this Friday. (The Guardian)

A cargo vessel operated by NYK Line was seized in the Red Sea, apparently by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi militants. (Nikkei Asia)

Chinese automaker Geely sold part of its shareholding in Volvo Cars. (Financial Times)

A Chinese fertilizer group wants members to curb exports and recall shipped cargoes to secure domestic supplies and stabilize prices. (Bloomberg)

Surface Transportation Board Chairman Martin Oberman will leave his post at the rail regulator in early 2024. (Railway Age)

The U.S. Postal Service plans to raise rates between 5.4% and 5.9% next year. (Supply Chain Dive)

A surge in less-than-truckload sector pricing following Yellow’s collapse is abating. (Journal of Commerce)

Trucker Estes Express Lines says it took nearly three weeks to restore full operations after a cyberattack last month. (Commercial Carrier Journal)

Developers began work on an industrial park near Georgia’s Port of Savannah that will include 10 million square feet of warehouse space. (WJCL)

Three European ports will cooperate to form a corridor for the production and export of renewable hydrogen fuel. (ShippingWatch)

Norwegian product tanker owner Hafnia plans to seek a secondary share listing in the U.S. (Splash 247)

CMA CGM and other backers are launching a nonprofit research lab for artificial intelligence. (DC Velocity)

Louis Dreyfus Armateurs is looking into using dirigibles to offload shipments from its vessels. (TradeWinds)

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.