text: TRUCKER UNION PUSHES VACCINE EXEMPTIONS: A major trucking union has requested vaccine requirement exemptions in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. In letters sent to President Biden and Prime Minister Trudeau, the request for drivers to be designated essential workers with exemptions from mandates established in January. The union stated that it “cannot endorse short-sighted policies that disrupt commerce, put truckers out of work, and create shortages for essential supplies”. (AC: Organized unions are putting their weight behind the U.S. movement against vaccine requirements for cross border travel. Major Unions have shown recent support for the “Convoy to D.C. 2022” movement as the protest organizers finalize plans to meet their deadline for March 1, 2022. – D.F.)MIDSTREAM STRATEGY FOR SUPPLY CHAIN RELIEF: An increasing number of retailers rely on medium-sized logistics centers to meet revolving demand in stores. The idea is to reduce retail storage and use internal “last-mile” delivery for high-volume consumer goods. The overseas logistics backlog will likely continue, leading retailers to implement AI-enabled logistics forecasting to target shipments. (AC: The network-enabled logistics future represents a key cyber-target for malign actors. The logistics relief plans face substantial risk as cyber actors often execute ransomware attacks on medium and large-sized logistics companies. Retailers are attempting to shield the consumer from shortages by staging inventory in sub-regional distribution centers. The inventory market for most sectors will continue to face disruption as more than 200,000 retail locations closed throughout the 20-21 retail years. – D.M.)CHINESE COMPANY FACES FEDERAL CHARGES FOR TECH THEFT: Blacklisted Chinese telecommunications company Hytera is facing federal charges for attempting to steal telecommunications technology from U.S. based company Motorola. According to recently unsealed documents in the case, Hytera recruited and hired people who worked with Chicago-based Motorola’s mobile radios and digital mobile radios, also known as “walkie-talkies.” The formerly sealed indictment, which was filed in May of 2021, alleges that Hytera is guilty of 21 counts of conspiracy to steal trade secrets and possession or attempted possession of secrets. The company faces a criminal fine of up to three times the value of the trade secrets if found guilty. Former Motorola employees were also charged with attempting to steal trade secrets but were not named since they have yet to appear in court. (AC: This is yet another example of economic espionage relating to China’s theft of intellectual property from U.S. based tech firms. China will likely shrug off any convictions and continue their espionage activities until the U.S. removes Chinese access to U.S. businesses.