25 Jun 2025

Update: New U.S. Tariff Measures on Steel-Based Appliances and Components

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has released updated guidance on the recently expanded steel tariffs under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act. While there were no changes to the original list of steel products affected, the update corrects classification numbers for some steel derivative goods. What This Means for Importers As of June […]

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21 Jun 2025

U.S. Import Surge Sparks Record Asian Exports Ahead of New Tariff Threats

American companies rushed to import goods from Asia in May, triggering record-setting export figures from Vietnam, Taiwan, and Thailand as they moved to beat a looming deadline for new U.S. tariffs proposed by President Donald Trump. The surge in shipments—driven by fears of steep “reciprocal” tariffs that could take effect in early July—has upended normal […]

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19 Jun 2025

Dock Deals and Trade Disputes

Import duties imposed by the Trump administration have caused well-documented disruptions to container services, but what is less often reported is the impact these taxes are having on U.S. ports and terminals. In May 2024, the Biden administration imposed a 25% tariff on ship-to-shore (STS) cranes. More recently, former President Trump has floated the idea […]

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18 Jun 2025

America’s Trade War Bet: Will It Boom or Bust?

The World Bank has downgraded growth projections for 70% of global economies, blaming escalating trade tensions and policy uncertainty. JPMorgan Chase warns the U.S. economy is likely to grow at a sluggish pace, while Elon Musk predicts tariffs could spark a recession in the second half of the year. This turbulence raises a central question: […]

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17 Jun 2025

Oil Chokepoint Under Threat: Shipping Industry Braces for Fallout

Rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have triggered renewed warnings for the global shipping industry. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), which provides security advisories for commercial vessels, has urged heightened caution for ships navigating the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, and the Strait of Hormuz. The advisory comes ahead of U.S.-Iran nuclear […]

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02 Jun 2025

Asia-Europe Rates Surge Amid Port Gridlock and Vessel Diversions

Ocean freight rates from Asia to Europe soared ahead of the carriers’ June 1 general rate increases, fueled by growing congestion at major ports and a shift in vessel deployment toward the booming Asia-U.S. trade lane. Severe delays at key port hubs on both ends of the Asia-Europe route are absorbing available capacity. At the […]

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