29 Apr 2025

Record-Breaking March for Air Cargo Fueled by Pre-Tariff Frontloading

Air cargo demand rebounded in March, driven in part by businesses accelerating shipments ahead of anticipated U.S. tariff changes. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), global airfreight demand, measured in cargo tonne kilometers (CTK), rose 4.4% compared to the same month last year. Capacity also increased by 4.3%, while the cargo load factor […]

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28 Apr 2025

China-to-US Air Cargo Faces Further Cuts as Demand Shifts to Southeast Asia

Several major Chinese airlines are reportedly considering the cancellation of their services to the United States, though no final decisions have been made, according to logistics provider Dimerco. “If these cancellations proceed, the already tight air cargo capacity from China to the US will shrink even further,” the company warned. Kathy Liu, vice president of […]

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24 Apr 2025

Contract Gridlock: How Tariffs Are Stalling Global Trade

Ongoing uncertainty around the Trump administration’s shifting tariff policies is disrupting the usual schedule for signing annual service contracts between ocean carriers and importers on the eastbound trans-Pacific trade lane. According to sources cited by the Journal of Commerce, negotiations that typically conclude by late April for contracts starting May 1 have been delayed by […]

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23 Apr 2025

Full Steam Ahead or Dead in the Water?

A renewed push to revive US commercial shipbuilding is stirring debate, following the Biden administration’s decision—carried over from a Trump-era stance—to levy steep fines on Chinese-built and Chinese-owned vessels. Announced on April 17 by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), the policy aims to send a “demand signal for US-built ships,” according […]

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22 Apr 2025

Trade Tensions Stitch Trouble for US Apparel Imports

A recent report from consultancy firm Trade Partnership Worldwide has raised concerns over the potential impact of heightened tariffs and port fees on the US apparel trade. If current tariff hikes become permanent and additional fees on Chinese vessels are enforced, the US could see a noticeable decline in clothing imports, the study warns. While […]

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21 Apr 2025

USTR Finalizes Section 301 Actions on China Shipbuilding

The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has announced its final actions regarding the Section 301 investigation into China’s shipbuilding industry, introducing significant changes from the initial proposals. Key Changes and Fee Structure: Revised Fees: Instead of a flat fee, new fees will be based on vessel net tonnage (NT) or container count and will apply per […]

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18 Apr 2025

India Emerges as Key Pivot in Asia’s Supply Chain Shake-Up

Rising trade tensions between the United States and China are expected to trigger significant shifts in Asia’s supply chain dynamics, as regional manufacturers look to diversify markets and mitigate risks, according to Indian industry sources. Speaking to the Journal of Commerce, several experts noted that Chinese exporters, grappling with declining demand from the US due […]

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16 Apr 2025

China Trade Tensions Threaten US Defense Firms’ Rare Earth Supply, Analysts Warn

America’s advanced weapons manufacturers are facing a looming shortage of critical rare-earth minerals, largely due to new export licensing restrictions imposed by China. The move, a response to rising trade tensions under former President Donald Trump’s administration, threatens to disrupt supply chains essential to the U.S. defense and aerospace sectors. According to the Center for […]

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15 Apr 2025

Tariffs Trigger Global Supply Chain Shake-Up as Costs Soar, Experts Warn

Businesses are being advised to reassess their procurement and supply chain strategies as the effects of U.S. tariffs ripple across global trade, driving up shipping costs and prices on a wide array of goods. The sweeping tariff measures imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump, along with retaliatory actions from major trade partners, have thrown supply […]

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14 Apr 2025

More Than Just Tariffs: Identifying the Deeper Cracks in the Global System

Ray Dalio in Principles argues that while current events like tariffs grab headlines and have significant impacts, they are merely symptoms of much larger, more fundamental shifts underway. Focusing solely on these immediate events, attributed often to specific political figures like President Trump, distracts from the underlying breakdown of the major monetary/economic, domestic political, and […]

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