New Port Fees Disrupt Transpacific Container Market
New US and China port fees are impacting every shipper moving goods between Asia and North America, with far-reaching regulations and escalating cost pressures. UPDATE 30 OCTOBER - Donald Trump…
Archive: USA
U.S. Government Shutdown: Potential Supply Chain Impact
While the current U.S. government shutdown has not yet caused major disruption to trade, importers and exporters are monitoring developments closely. Experience from past shutdowns suggests that, if it continues,…
US Importers and Exporters Confront a Shifting Trade Landscape
For decades, US businesses have thrived on global trade, benefiting from relatively predictable rules and preferential systems that supported both imports and exports. Today, however, shifting trade policies are rewriting…
Transpacific Freight Balances Between Volatility and Stabilisation
Transpacific container shipping is showing signs of stabilisation after months of volatility, but the market remains unsettled by tariff pressures, shifting trade flows and persistent oversupply. Spot rates on Asia–US…
New Tariff Truce to Break US/China Trade Deadlock
The United States and China have agreed to prolong their temporary halt on recent tariff hikes for a further 90 days, offering a brief reprieve for importers as high-level negotiations…
New Tariffs Take Effect as EU Land Trade Deal
The first week of August has brought two major developments, the formal start of new tariffs and a US–EU trade framework designed to reset transatlantic commerce. From 7 August, the…
Invisible Inventory and Front-Loading Cloud Freight Market Outlook
The early rush to front-load shipments ahead of impending tariffs has drained much of the typical second-half year demand. At the same time, invisible inventory - goods stalled in yards,…
New Rules Raise Questions on Transshipments and Tariff Classifications
U.S. importers are adjusting to two significant customs developments that could impact their cost exposure and compliance risk An expansion in the number of Harmonised Tariff Schedule (HTS) codes allowed…
Asia-Europe Shipping Improves as Trans-Pacific Trade Slows
The outlook for container shipping between Asia and Europe has been looking more positive, with demand increasing and rates rising by almost 50% since the end of May. In contrast,…
SHIPS for America Act Adds Complexity to USTR’s China Tariff Plans
The re-introduction of the SHIPS for America Act is the latest in a growing list of regulatory developments adding complexity and cost to the business of importing goods into the…
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