By Eva Richardson – The Logistic News
After years of tentative recovery, the global cargo sector is facing a renewed wave of disruption—this time not from a virus, but from a political decision. The reintroduction of aggressive tariffs by the United States on select Chinese and Southeast Asian imports has triggered a strategic reset across freight corridors, forcing carriers, shippers, and forwarders to rethink both routes and relationships.
Nowhere is this more visible than in the air cargo market, where speed is everything—and where confidence is rapidly eroding.
The Tariff Domino Effect
Introduced in early April, the new U.S. measures primarily target electronics, textiles, automotive parts, and industrial components. While not unprecedented, the scope and unpredictability of the tariff list have left logistics planners scrambling.
Airlines like Cathay Pacific and China Airlines Cargo report significant booking cancellations, with several routes to U.S. destinations now operating below break-even capacity.
“We’re not seeing volume drops due to lack of demand,” says a senior route planner at a global freight forwarder based in Hong Kong. “We’re seeing hesitations. Clients are stalling shipments, watching for exemptions, or rerouting to third countries.”
Sea Freight Isn’t Immune
Maritime cargo, once the fallback in tariff turbulence, is now feeling the heat too. U.S. ports like Los Angeles and Savannah report growing backlogs, partly due to shippers switching modes—but also because many are rerouting through Mexico or Canada to soften duty impact.
The result? An increasingly fragmented global freight landscape where traditional supply chains are splintering in favor of flexible, multi-hop models that favor adaptability over efficiency.
Warehousing and Inland Shifts
On the ground, the story continues. In Rotterdam, Hamburg, and Antwerp, warehousing companies are seeing surges in short-term inventory requests as companies delay transatlantic moves. In Chicago and Dallas, inland carriers are seeing a rise in partial loads with longer turnaround times—an indication that just-in-time is giving way to just-in-case.
“Tariffs used to be political theater,” notes Samuel Keita, a trade compliance analyst. “Now they’re operational reality.”
Strategic Shippers Take Control
Interestingly, some of the best-prepared companies aren’t panicking—they’re pivoting. Brands that invested in multi-region sourcing, diversified freight partners, and real-time cargo visibility tools are using the situation to renegotiate contracts, avoid chokepoints, and leverage agility as a competitive weapon.
“Those who planned for unpredictability are now the ones setting delivery timelines instead of chasing them,” Keita adds.
A Tense Road Ahead
With no clear end to tariff escalations—and elections looming in several key economies—the logistics industry is bracing for a turbulent Q2 and Q3. Insurance rates are climbing, customs clearance times are lengthening, and trade finance is tightening for exporters in China and Vietnam.
One thing is certain: in today’s freight environment, the slowest risk isn’t delay—it’s inertia.
