President Biden’s decision to raise tariffs on selected goods from China is likely to create a battle within supply chains over the cost of the levies. The tariffs on roughly $18 billion of goods has consequences for economic performance and inflation in the U.S., the WSJ’s Andrew Duehren writes, and the question of costs is spilling onto the presidential campaign, as President Biden and rival Donald Trump jockey over trade policy. The evidence largely concludes that the tariffs Trump imposed—and Biden has maintained—on imports from China were mostly passed on to American buyers. A study found only a small increase in prices to consumers on goods subject to tariffs, suggesting importers and wholesalers absorbed much of the cost. A broader across-the-board levy could be more costly because domestic suppliers might raise their prices with less competition while businesses and consumers couldn’t easily find substitutes.

• China launched an anti-dumping probe into chemical imports, signaling it will retaliate against new trade barriers from the U.S. and Europe. (WSJ)

Skechers is trying to toe a fine line between being a supplier and a retailer. The third-largest athletic footwear brand, says its sales involving retailers rose nearly 10% globally in the first quarter from a year earlier, to around $1.4 billion. The WSJ’s Jennifer Williams reports the uplift marks a reversal from recent quarters when some retailers generally pulled back on orders, pressured by sluggish sales and an inventory glut. Skechers expects the momentum at stores to continue. But the brand is still investing in its own sales channels after direct-to-consumer sales rose some 24% last year from 2022, while North American wholesale sales dropped 10.6%. Most of its capital spending last quarter went to expanding distribution centers and selling directly to consumers. Many big brands are wrestling with the balance between operating as a wholesale supplier and a retailer. Right now, Skechers is betting on both markets.

The index of leading U.S. economic indicators declined in April for the second straight month. (MarketWatch)

Workers at a Mercedes-Benz plant in Alabama voted against joining the United Auto Workers, blunting the union’s effort to organize at foreign-owned factories. (WSJ)

Discount retail app Temu is facing complaints in Europe that its business practices violate requirements for product traceability and other regulations. (WSJ)

Restaurant chain Red Lobster filed for bankruptcy protection. (WSJ)

Southeast Asian delivery specialist Grab Holdings is using generative artificial intelligence to boost a cost-cutting drive. (WSJ)

Samsung Electronics is asking automotive suppliers to provide non-China production options as Asian companies prepare for the impact of new U.S. tariffs. (Nikkei Asia)

The Federal Reserve Bank of New York will start releasing “Supply Availability Indexes”​ on pressures in supply chains. (Reuters)

U.S. furniture distributor PKDC is seeking $12 million from CMA CGM over claimed contract violations and excessive charges. (The Loadstar)

Authorities planned to refloat the Dali containership today and move it to the Port of Baltimore’s Seagirt Marine Terminal. (WBAL)

Major ports on Asia-Europe lanes are seeing growing containership delays, with backups at Singapore now reaching six days. (ShippingWatch)

The state of Oregon plans to spend $40 million to help maintain container shipping services at the Port of Portland. (Port Technology)

Greek shipping tycoon George Economou backed out of his proxy fight at dry-bulk carrier Genco Shipping & Trading. (Splash 247)

GXO Logistics workers at a warehouse outside London plan to strike starting June 7 in a dispute over pay. (Motor Transport)

Amazon paid $40 million for land in Salinas, Calif., for a planned 2 million-square-foot warehouse. (KSBW)

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.