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Tariffs and Transshipment Put Global Trade on Uncertain Ground

Freight markets are volatile, trade rules are tightening, and decarbonization is falling off the agenda. Where does that leave global shippers?   In the latest episode of the Freight Buyers’ Club, we hear directly from three experts at the forefront of global trade disruption: Wolfgang Lehmacher, an independent supply chain and logistics strategist; Kathy Liu, VP…

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What Big Shippers Really Think: Retail & Tech Leaders on Tariffs and Trade

Big shippers are sounding the alarm on tariffs, sourcing shifts, and container contracts. In Episode 50 of The Freight Buyers’ Club, retail, tech and freight leaders share how they’re navigating 2025’s shipping storm. Episode 50 of The Freight Buyers’ Club – produced with the support of Dimerco Express Group – marks a milestone: three heavyweight shipper representatives reveal how the…

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De Minimis Ban, Tariffs & Peak Season: The Air Cargo Outlook

From May 2025, low-value shipments from China and Hong Kong lost their U.S. duty-free status. On 29 August, that de minimis exemption will be suspended worldwide – disrupting cross-border e-commerce, shifting trade lanes, and forcing forwarders, integrators and carriers to rethink strategy. Episode #49 of The Freight Buyers’ Club – produced with the support of MSC Air…

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Trump’s tariffs, air cargo’s struggles, and the shake-up ahead

The air cargo industry is facing major disruption and a possible slump, Neel Jones Shah, former senior executive at Flexport, Delta Airlines and United Cargo, tells the latest episode of The Freight Buyers’ Club Insight series. At the centre of the shake-up? Trump’s new tariffs, which could hit e-commerce exports from China to the U.S….

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Global shippers adopt ‘wait and see’ approach as Trump tariff threats loom

December 2, 2024 There has been a surprisingly measured response from international shippers facing potential new tariffs next year from the incoming Donald Trump administration. Speaking on the latest episode of The Freight Buyers’ Club podcast (see video clip below), Kathy Liu, Dimerco Express Group Vice President, said most shippers and exporters to the U.S. were taking…

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U.S. trade policy in question as election nears: new tariff hikes could threaten U.S. tech and force supply chain rethinks

October 17, 2024 With the U.S. presidential election approaching on 5 November, the contrasting trade positions of Democratic candidate Kamala Harris and Republican candidate Donald Trump are creating uncertainty for U.S. shippers, tech companies and global supply chains. While neither candidate is a staunch proponent of free trade, Harris has signalled a cautious approach that…

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U.S. dockworker strike threatens to push air freight prices even higher ahead of peak season

As a potential East Coast dockworkers’ strike looms in October, shippers turning to air freight to stock holiday inventory face surging prices and capacity shortages. September 17, 2024  Air cargo markets are expected to overheat during the upcoming fourth-quarter peak season, with rising prices and limited capacity now almost inevitable. Even before the holiday shipping…

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“No plan B” for global shipping if U.S. dockworkers strike, says Hapag-Lloyd executive

With contract negotiations at a stalemate, the possibility of a U.S. East Coast dockworkers’ strike threatens to paralyze global container shipping, impacting millions of TEUs and leaving terminals idle. September 5, 2024 Global container shipping markets could face a significant shock, one that they are ill-prepared to handle, if dockworkers at U.S. ports go on…

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Even Suez Canal restart is no silver bullet for container shipping turbulence, warns Lars Jensen

August 8, 2024 Shippers should anticipate continued volatility in container shipping freight markets through 2025, with even the re-start of operations through the Suez Canal not guaranteeing immediate respite from disruptions and soaring freight rates, according to Lars Jensen, CEO of Vespucci Maritime. The renowned container shipping analyst and consultant outlined various Red Sea crisis…

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Higher tariffs to harm US consumers and exporters; economic decoupling from China unlikely, experts reveal

US economic decoupling from China unlikely without military conflict; increased tariffs predicted to severely harm US economy and exporters, say experts on The Freight Buyers’ Club. Jess Dankert, VP for Supply Chain at the Retail Industry Leaders Association, calls for smart trade policies instead of higher tariffs; Professor Jason Miller warns agricultural industries will suffer…

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