05 May 2025

De Minimis Crackdown: U.S. Slams Door on Duty-Free Chinese Imports

As of May 2, the United States has officially ended the de minimis exemption for packages arriving from China and Hong Kong. This change eliminates duty-free entry for shipments valued under $800, subjecting them instead to significantly higher tariffs and stricter customs procedures. Under the new policy, affected packages will either face a 120% tariff […]

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03 May 2025

Global Shipping Shake-Up: Tariffs, Blank Sailings, and the Battle for Capacity

The suspension of China–U.S. shipments and a wave of blank sailings on the trans-Pacific trade lane may lead to a significant redistribution of vessel capacity, according to Alexandra Ilascu of Kuehne + Nagel. Speaking during the Journal of Commerce’s Asia-Europe webinar, Ilascu warned that these shifts are likely to impact other trade routes, including Asia-Europe […]

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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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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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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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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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14 Apr 2025

Tariffs Trigger Chaos as Carriers Slash Sailings

Ocean carriers operating on the eastbound trans-Pacific trade are preparing to cancel more sailings following a surge in booking cancellations last week. The uncertainty surrounding steep U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods is prompting shippers to pause or abandon freight plans, potentially leaving vessels departing China half-empty well into May. Gene Seroka, Executive Director of the […]

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13 Apr 2025

Global Shipping Industry Gripped by Uncertainty as U.S.-China Trade War Escalates

The global maritime sector is navigating turbulent waters as the U.S.-China trade war continues to fuel widespread uncertainty. Industry leaders say the constantly evolving tariff landscape has made long-term planning nearly impossible. Jacob Winthereik, interim CEO of Lauritzen Bulkers, noted that with new tariffs being introduced or modified almost weekly, the industry sees no signs […]

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