Geneva Breakthrough: U.S.–China Tariff Truce Reframes Logistics Outlook
- Wakool Transport
- May 12
- 17 min read
Updated: May 13
Update Section: May 14, 2025
1. De Minimis Tariff Adjustments on Low-Value Goods
Previously under heavy scrutiny, the tariff rate for low-value packages (valued under USD $800) shipped from China, Hong Kong, and Macau has officially been reduced from 120% to 54%. This adjustment directly affects platforms like Shein and Temu and aims to reduce consumer cost pressures during the truce period. Additionally, the planned increase in the per-package duty from $100 to $200—originally scheduled for June 1—has now been cancelled, keeping the $100 flat rate intact.
2. HTSUS Code Revisions and Tariff Suspension Clauses
Several sections of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the U.S. (HTSUS) have been specifically revised. Notably, titles such as 9903.01.63 and related sub-chapter notes have been amended, reducing the tariff rates stated therein from 125% to 34%, accompanied by a 90-day suspension effective from May 14, 2025. These revisions align the tariffs legally with Executive Orders 14256, 14257, 14259, and 14266.
3. Scope and Jurisdiction
These adjustments explicitly apply to imports from Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau, including goods directly imported or withdrawn from U.S. bonded warehouses for consumption.
Executive Summary
90-Day Tariff Truce Eases Trade War Pressures
In a significant breakthrough, the United States and China have agreed to a 90-day tariff rollback, providing temporary relief to global supply chains strained by months of escalating trade tensions. The agreement, reached during high-level talks in Geneva, marks the first major de-escalation in the ongoing trade conflict.
Key Measures Announced:
The U.S. will reduce additional tariffs on Chinese imports from 145% to 30%.
China will lower its retaliatory duties from 125% to 10%.
Both sides agreed to suspend the planned 24% surcharge and cancel approximately 91% of recently enacted tariff hikes during the truce period.
China will pause all non-tariff retaliatory actions, including export restrictions and the blacklisting of U.S. companies implemented since April.
This temporary truce is expected to ease immediate cost pressures on importers and logistics providers and may lead to improved cargo flow, especially on trans-Pacific trade lanes. However, the 90-day window also creates urgency for companies to optimize shipping schedules, clear backlogs, and capitalize on reduced duties before any policy shift.
New Dialogue Mechanism & Cautious Optimism
Alongside the 90-day tariff rollback, the U.S. and China have agreed to launch a new economic dialogue mechanism aimed at addressing broader trade frictions and reducing escalation risks. The joint statement—signed by Vice Premier He Lifeng, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer—underscores a shared commitment to “continued communication” and avoiding a complete economic decoupling.
Industry response has been cautiously optimistic. Financial markets reacted positively to the news, but many executives remain wary. While the tariff cut offers short-term relief, numerous duties remain, including legacy trade war tariffs and recent fentanyl-linked surcharges. Businesses also note the 90-day window is narrow, leaving little room for structural negotiations.
The immediate effect is a modest improvement in cross-Pacific trade sentiment, yet many companies are maintaining contingency strategies in anticipation of renewed volatility after the truce expires. For now, the focus is on maximizing cost savings, clearing delayed shipments, and assessing potential policy shifts beyond summer.
Logistics Industry Adjustments
While the recent tariff truce offers short-term relief, the U.S.-focused logistics industry continues to grapple with deeper structural changes already in motion. Major ocean carriers, including Maersk, have revised their growth outlooks downward due to weakening U.S.–China trade flows.
Third-party logistics providers and carriers are actively reshaping their operations. DHL is expanding its U.S. warehousing footprint through acquisitions to meet growing e-commerce fulfillment demand, while UPS is scaling back capacity tied to Amazon, following a noticeable drop in parcel volumes.
Meanwhile, freight forwarders report a steep decline in China–U.S. shipments during April, with many clients now choosing to reroute or delay freight amid ongoing policy uncertainty.
Cargo security is also in the spotlight, with theft incidents reaching record highs last year and prompting new federal enforcement measures. Broader policy ripple effects are impacting specific sectors as well—automotive logistics, for instance, is seeing backlash over a new $150 per vehicle port fee on foreign-built vessels, while in warehousing, high inventory levels and increasingly fluid pricing models are becoming standard practice.
The sections below examine how each segment of the logistics chain is adapting and what these developments could mean in the months ahead.
Updated Industry Reactions at a Glance
The Following Table Shows: Summary of industry reactions and adjustments amid the U.S.–China trade tensions and recent tariff policy changes. Companies are responding with strategic shifts – from cost-cutting and consolidation to acquisitions and security investments – to navigate the turbulent environment. The 90-day tariff pause offers temporary relief, but most players are maintaining a cautious stance given the uncertainty ahead.
Player/Issue | Latest Impact or Response |
Maersk (Global Shipping) | U.S.–China container volumes down 30–40% in April; Maersk cut its 2025 volume growth forecast to a range of -1% to +4% (from ~4% prior) . Maintaining profit guidance via other routes, but warns a protracted tariff war could shrink global trade. |
DHL Supply Chain (3PL) | Acquired IDS Fulfillment (1.3+ million sq. ft. warehouses) to expand U.S. e-commerce logistics . Focused on domestic fulfillment as de minimis imports from China end (145% tariff on small parcels) . Cutting air capacity and costs (“Fit for Growth”) to offset volume declines . |
UPS (Parcel Carrier) | Pulling back from Amazon: cutting 20,000 jobs and closing 73 facilities as 60% of Amazon volume was unprofitable . Expects $3.5B in 2025 savings. Cites trade war for weaker parcel demand and is refocusing on higher-margin deliveries . |
Expeditors (Freight Fwd.) | Front-loaded Q1 boom, then China–U.S. volumes plunged post-tariff. Reports significant drop-off in exports from China as clients pause shipments . Some freight rerouted to other regions, but outlook “highly unpredictable” amid the “tariff frenzy” . |
Cargo Theft & Security | Cargo theft hit record highs (+27% in 2024) ; organized crime exploiting supply chain gaps. Lawmakers introduced bills to create a federal cargo theft task force and stiffen penalties . Push for multi-agency coordination as thefts expected to rise further in 2025. |
Automotive Logistics | USTR imposed $150/vehicle fee on foreign-built car carriers , effective Oct 2025, to spur U.S. shipbuilding. Backlash from shipping lines and carmakers: nearly all car carriers hit (fee ≈$900k per ship) , including vessels serving U.S. military . Industry lobbying for relief from broad fees. |
Tariff Rollback Highlights (May 2025 U.S.–China Deal)
Policy Change | 90-Day Adjustment |
U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports | Reduced to 30% (from 145% previously) for 90 days; 24 percentage-point surcharge suspended . |
Chinese tariffs on U.S. goods | Reduced to 10% (from 125% previously) for 90 days; matching 115 percentage-point cut . |
Additional tariff layers | ~91% of recently added tariffs canceled or paused . Both countries rolled back most overlapping tariff measures imposed since April. |
Non-tariff measures (China) | Suspended. China will lift export curbs and company blacklists enacted in retaliation . |
Bilateral trade consultations | New talks mechanism established. Vice Premier He Lifeng to lead for China; Treasury’s Bessent and USTR Greer for the U.S. . |
Table: Key provisions of the U.S.–China tariff rollback agreement, effective mid-May 2025. The temporary pause significantly lowers import duties on each side and halts most punitive measures from the recent escalation, providing a window for further negotiation. Both governments have signaled the move is intended to avert an all-out trade freeze while a more comprehensive deal is pursued .
Maersk Cuts Forecast as U.S.–China Trade Volumes Drop Sharply
A.P. Moller–Maersk, widely regarded as a bellwether for global trade, has revised its container volume outlook downward, reflecting the mounting impact of ongoing trade tensions. The company now expects global volumes to range from a 1% decline to modest 4% growth in 2025—a notable downgrade from its earlier projection of around 4% growth.
The revision follows a steep drop in trans-Pacific shipments, with Maersk CEO Vincent Clerc reporting that container traffic between China and the U.S. fell by 30–40% in April. Many shippers had front-loaded orders early in the year in anticipation of new tariffs, but once duties took effect, cargo flows rapidly contracted.
Maersk noted that it was able to divert some of the lost volume to stronger-performing routes, taking advantage of sustained demand and higher spot rates on alternative corridors—particularly those disrupted by earlier events such as the Red Sea shipping crisis. These adjustments, along with internal cost controls, have allowed the company to maintain its 2025 profit guidance.
However, executives remain cautious, warning that if the U.S.–China dispute continues, broader global trade volumes could face long-term pressure.
With the 90-day tariff truce now in effect, carriers like Maersk are closely monitoring market response. The temporary rollback of elevated tariffs may lead to a brief rebound in volumes, as some U.S. importers rush to place new orders under the more favorable rate window. However, with uncertainty looming beyond August, shipping lines are approaching the situation with caution.
Industry analysts describe the recent tariff surge as a global demand shock, warning that prolonged trade friction could further weaken freight activity. Maersk, in response, is focusing on operational flexibility—continuing to adjust capacity through blank sailings and route optimization to align with fluctuating demand.
The company has made it clear that if negotiations between Washington and Beijing fail to produce a longer-term resolution, and tariffs return to previous highs, another pullback in container volumes is likely. While the current truce provides temporary relief, it falls short of reversing the broader pressures on the global shipping landscape.
DHL Expands U.S. Fulfillment Network with IDS Acquisition
Anticipating a more fragmented trade environment and continued e-commerce growth, DHL Supply Chain has expanded its U.S. footprint through the acquisition of IDS Fulfillment, a logistics firm specializing in serving small and mid-sized online retailers. The deal, finalized in early May, adds over 1.3 million square feet of warehouse capacityacross strategic locations in Indiana, Georgia, Utah, and several other states.
IDS’s focus on agile, fast-turn fulfillment makes it a natural fit for DHL’s e-commerce strategy. The acquisition equips DHL with a ready-made domestic distribution network, designed to meet the demands of fast delivery and localized inventory management. According to DHL’s North America CEO, the move ensures that small and mid-size sellers can access advanced logistics solutions as they scale with rising online demand.
The timing is notable. Amid ongoing U.S.–China tensions, many e-commerce sellers are restructuring their supply chains. The U.S. government’s recent decision to eliminate the de minimis duty exemption for low-value shipments from China and Hong Kong means that even inexpensive direct-to-consumer parcels are now subject to full tariffs. This policy shift—part of the broader escalation that imposed 145% duties on small Chinese e-commerce shipments—has led platforms like Shein, Temu, and Alibaba to reevaluate their delivery models.
A growing number of sellers are now bulk-shipping to U.S. warehouses or sourcing inventory domestically to sidestep the high cost of individual imports. DHL’s acquisition of IDS positions it to capitalize on this trend, offering a turnkey logistics solution for cross-border sellers seeking to localize distribution and avoid tariff exposure.
Beyond its push into e-commerce fulfillment, DHL is tightening operations to weather the broader trade slowdown. Under its “Fit for Growth” program, the company is targeting over $1 billion in cost reductions by the end of 2024, with a particular focus on scaling back outsourced air cargo and realigning network capacity.
In Q1, despite a decline in shipment volumes, DHL managed to increase profitability by grounding surplus aircraft and consolidating loads on more cost-efficient routes. This streamlined approach helped cushion the impact as new tariffs dampened air cargo flows, especially on cross-border e-commerce. At one point, DHL even temporarily suspended direct-to-consumer parcels from China when tightened customs rules caused a backlog in clearance processing.
Now, with a temporary easing of tariffs in place, a modest recovery in international volumes is expected. However, DHL is not banking on a full-scale rebound. Instead, it is reinforcing its presence in logistics segments less vulnerable to geopolitical volatility—including domestic e-commerce, healthcare logistics, and warehousing.
The acquisition of IDS Fulfillment marks DHL’s second major U.S. e-commerce logistics deal in 2025, following its January purchase of a reverse logistics provider. Together, these moves reflect a deliberate strategy: build out flexible, U.S.-based distribution infrastructure so retailers can continue reaching American consumers, even if global supply lines are disrupted. In a post-de minimis world where cross-border duties are higher and less predictable, local fulfillment networks are emerging as a critical hedge—and DHL is positioning itself at the center of that shift.
UPS Pulls Back from Amazon, Shuttering 73 Facilities
In response to evolving e-commerce dynamics and trade-related pressures, UPS is undertaking a major operational consolidation, signaling a strategic shift in how the company manages its parcel network. As part of its “Network of the Future” initiative, UPS announced plans to eliminate 20,000 jobs and shut down 73 sorting facilities by June 2025, aiming to align costs with declining parcel volumes and shifting customer demand—particularly a reduction in business from Amazon.
According to CEO Carol Tomé and CFO Brian Dykes, the restructuring will enable UPS to “right-size” its infrastructure and increase automation. The company is removing 164 sorting shifts in this first phase and anticipates saving $3.5 billion in 2025, with about 35% of those savings tied to exiting low-margin Amazon-related operations.
Once UPS’s largest customer, Amazon has rapidly built its own delivery network, leaving behind unprofitable volumes for legacy partners. In January, UPS formalized a deal to cut Amazon parcel volume by over 50% through 2026. Many of the facilities targeted for closure were small centers dedicated to Amazon fulfillment, and their elimination reflects UPS’s move to prioritize higher-margin business.
Beyond the Amazon decoupling, weaker parcel demand and suppressed international volumes due to tariffs have contributed to excess capacity. UPS leadership acknowledged that the U.S.–China trade dispute has further softened cross-border shipments, reinforcing the need for consolidation. While the recent 90-day tariff truce could provide a short-term lift, UPS is operating under the assumption that lower volume levels are the new baseline—and may close up to 200 facilities over five years unless market conditions improve.
Domestically, this reset brings mixed implications. On the positive side, the company is doubling down on more profitable segments, including SMBs, healthcare logistics, and specialized B2B deliveries, which should strengthen financial performance. However, the downsizing also means job losses in local communities, reduced redundancy in the network, and potentially longer delivery lead times in some regions.
With rising competition from FedEx, regional carriers, and Amazon’s own logistics division, UPS is betting that its disciplined focus on profitability over volume will preserve market position without undermining service quality. Wall Street has largely endorsed the strategy, but the coming quarters—particularly under the current tariff pause—will reveal whether UPS’s consolidation pace continues or moderates in response to shifting global trade flows.
Forwarders Report Sharp China–U.S. Volume Drop, Explore Alternative Lanes
Freight forwarders are navigating the frontlines of the tariff-induced volatility, balancing client needs with shifting customs rules and geopolitical uncertainty. Expeditors International, a leading Seattle-based forwarder, illustrates the current turbulence in global logistics. In Q1 2025, the company posted stronger-than-expected performance, with air and ocean volumes rising 8–9% year-over-year, driven largely by importers front-loading shipments in February and March ahead of anticipated tariff hikes.
CEO Daniel Wall described the market as a “frenzied landscape of tariffs, threats, and disruptions” that ironically boosted demand for expedited services in the first quarter. Airfreight surged—March air tonnage jumped 15% YoY—as e-commerce and tech firms rushed high-value shipments ahead of rate changes. While earnings exceeded expectations, Expeditors took a conservative staffing approach, mindful that the surge could be temporary.
That caution proved warranted. By April, China–U.S. export volumes dropped sharply, coinciding with the implementation of the 145% U.S. tariff. In its earnings call, the company confirmed a notable downturn in ocean shipments from China, with clients rerouting or outright canceling orders. Some manufacturers shifted supply chains to Southeast Asia or Latin America for final assembly or re-export in hopes of circumventing direct U.S.–China duties. Others, lacking viable alternatives, opted to suspend shipments entirely.
This trend is reflected industry-wide: trans-Pacific blank sailings hit 56% in April–May, as carriers withdrew capacity amid shrinking demand.
Looking ahead, Expeditors executives expressed measured optimism. While the 90-day tariff reprieve has opened a window for volume recovery, they remain uncertain about its longevity. A short-term surge in bookings could occur in June and July, echoing past “pull-forward” cycles, but long-term visibility remains low. “The outlook is as unpredictable to us as it is to everyone,” Wall noted, emphasizing the company’s focus on agility and customer guidance.
To navigate the uncertainty, Expeditors is prioritizing:
Route flexibility and market diversification
Customs and compliance consulting
Client support in warehousing strategy, including bonded and FTZ use to manage tariff exposure
One upside in this volatile environment is that forwarders can capture value in high-touch services—urgent freight, compliance support, and strategic planning. Expeditors, with its history of navigating disruption, is positioning itself not just as a mover of goods, but a partner in risk mitigation.
Still, the company—like many in the sector—hopes for greater policy stability. In the meantime, forwarders are urging clients to use the 90-day window wisely: clear inventory backlogs, explore alternate sourcing, and prepare contingency plans should tariffs return or negotiations stall again in late summer.
Cargo Theft Surge Prompts Federal Crackdown
While tariff policy has dominated trade headlines, a growing and costly threat has emerged across U.S. supply chains: cargo theft. Incidents involving the organized theft of goods in transit—ranging from truckloads of electronics to rail containers of consumer goods—have surged across the country.
In 2024, reported cargo theft cases in the U.S. and Canada rose by an estimated 27% year-over-year, reaching all-time highs. However, industry analysts believe the true scope is much larger. Insurance providers estimate the actual number of thefts could be 10–20 times higher than reported, due to widespread underreporting and misclassification. The financial toll is staggering: Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) estimates annual losses from cargo crime now total between $15 billion and $35 billion.
Drivers Behind the Spike
Several converging factors have created fertile ground for cargo theft:
High-value goods—such as electronics, pharmaceuticals, and branded apparel—have become prime targets.
Supply chain vulnerabilities introduced by port congestion, labor shortages, and inventory pileups have been exploited by sophisticated criminal networks.
Double-brokering fraud, in which thieves impersonate legitimate freight brokers to hijack shipments, has become increasingly common.
Tariff-induced shortages and inflation have elevated black market values, making stolen goods more lucrative than ever.
Federal Response Gathers Momentum
In response, U.S. lawmakers and federal agencies are stepping up enforcement:
In April, a bipartisan group in Congress reintroduced the Combating Organized Retail and Supply Chain Theft Act, which would expand federal oversight and increase penalties for cargo theft rings.
The proposed Safeguarding Our Supply Chains Act aims to establish a multi-agency federal task force to coordinate investigations across DHS, FBI, FMCSA, and local law enforcement—addressing what one industry executive described as a landscape filled with “finger-pointing” and unclear jurisdiction.
The bill includes $100 million in funding over five years to support theft prevention, improve interagency data-sharing, and mandate better reporting by carriers and shippers.
Private Sector Measures and Industry Pressure
At the operational level, logistics companies are also intensifying security efforts:
Deployment of GPS trailer tracking, geofencing, and AI-based route monitoring
Use of escort services for high-value loads
Strategic adjustments to avoid known theft hotspots
Meanwhile, agencies like the FMCSA are considering new rules to combat double-brokering, which frequently serves as a gateway to cargo theft.
Although some relief may come from the 90-day tariff pause, which could reduce warehouse congestion and idle freight (making theft less opportunistic), the underlying vulnerabilities remain. Analysts warn that cargo theft could rise another 20–25% in 2025 without stronger enforcement and collaboration.
Conclusion
For retailers, carriers, and insurers, cargo theft has evolved from an operational nuisance into a serious threat to supply chain resilience. Industry groups are welcoming federal attention, emphasizing that losses from theft ultimately translate into higher costs for consumers. A coordinated national crackdown—backed by legislation, funding, and technology—is seen as the most viable path to reversing the trend in the years ahead.
Auto Shippers Hit by New $150/Vehicle Port Fee
A new trade measure targeting foreign-built vehicle carriers is sending shockwaves through the automotive logistics sector. In April, the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announced a sweeping policy that will impose a $150 port fee per car-equivalent unit (CEU) on all roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) vessels built outside the United States—regardless of ownership or cargo origin.
The fee, scheduled to take effect on October 14, will significantly impact auto carriers, most of which are built in Asia or Europe. For a standard RoRo ship with 6,000 CEUs, the fee amounts to $900,000 per U.S. port call. This levy applies even to U.S.-flagged vessels if constructed abroad—capturing more than 1,400 ships in global operation, including those used for U.S. military logistics.
Industry Backlash and Strategic Concerns
The measure, which aims to counter China’s influence in maritime trade and promote U.S. shipbuilding, has sparked industry-wide criticism. Automakers already facing 25% tariffs on imported vehicles warn that this additional cost could raise prices for American consumers, with estimates suggesting the fee could add $300–$500 per imported car when averaged across vessel loads.
Port authorities and shipping groups—including the American Association of Port Authorities and the World Shipping Council—have urged USTR to reconsider, citing “unintended consequences” and lack of targeting. Of particular concern is the impact on the Maritime Security Program (MSP) fleet: roughly 20 foreign-built RoRo ships, flying the U.S. flag and tasked with Pentagon logistics, would be subject to the charge—potentially penalizing U.S. defense readiness.
According to industry insiders, the final rule went far beyond initial drafts, which focused narrowly on China-linked assets. In its current form, the fee encompasses nearly the entire global auto carrier fleet, apparently in the name of administrative simplicity and loophole prevention.
Calls for Revision and Industry Response
Shipping firms—including Wallenius Wilhelmsen, one of the largest RoRo operators—have requested discussions with USTR, advocating for more targeted implementation. Some suggest the fee should apply only to future contracts or adversary-linked fleets, while others propose waivers or reductions for carriers that order new U.S.-built vessels.
However, building RoRo ships domestically is costly and time-intensive, and the current U.S. shipbuilding base lacks sufficient capacity to meet global demand. In the short term, carriers are likely to pass the cost to automakers, restructure port calls, or consider avoiding U.S. stops altogether in certain lanes.
Separate from Tariff Truce, Long-Term Implications Remain
Notably, this measure is not affected by the current 90-day U.S.–China tariff truce. Barring diplomatic negotiations or revised rulemaking, the port fee will go into effect as planned. Some industry observers hope that progress in trade talks could lead to a suspension of the policy as a goodwill gesture, but such relief remains speculative.
As it stands, European and Asian automakers already grappling with tariff volatility now face another cost layer in accessing the U.S. market. The RoRo fee underscores a broader trend in U.S. trade policy: the increasing use of non-tariff mechanisms—including port charges and regulatory shifts—that reshape global transportation economics in complex and far-reaching ways.
Industry Outlook: Cautious Optimism and Structural Shifts
The 90-day tariff truce has provided welcome, if temporary, relief to the logistics and trade sectors. U.S. importers and exporters now have a short window to expedite shipments, adjust inventory strategies, and navigate operations with reduced cost pressure. While optimism has returned to the market, the broader sense is one of guarded optimism, not full recovery.
Over the coming weeks, key indicators to monitor include:
Port volumes on the U.S. West Coast, which may rebound modestly from their previously projected lows
Freight rate fluctuations, especially in trans-Pacific lanes
Warehousing activity, as companies either reduce stockpiles or continue strategic inventory accumulation in anticipation of future disruptions
Policy Dialogue Brings Hope – But Uncertainty Lingers
Trade groups and industry leaders are pressing for a more durable policy reset. Organizations like the American Chamber of Commerce have called on both governments to establish a framework that avoids further escalation—comparing past tariff cycles to a near “trade embargo” in severity.
The creation of a new bilateral economic dialogue mechanism is a promising sign. Regular engagement may allow negotiators to address incremental issues—such as market access, IP protection, and regulatory transparency—which, if resolved, could reduce tensions. However, many observers caution that unless deeper structural issues are tackled, the truce could merely delay another round of confrontation.
Logistics Lessons: Agility is Now Non-Negotiable
For logistics professionals, the recent volatility has cemented the need for flexibility and diversification. Strategies once considered optional—such as dual sourcing, nearshoring, and adaptive carrier contracting—are now essential.
Firms that invested in supply chain resilience—such as the ability to shift operations to Mexico, reroute through alternate ports, or tap redundant suppliers—navigated the tariff disruptions more smoothly. These capabilities will continue to provide a competitive edge in an uncertain policy landscape.
The crisis has also accelerated long-term trends:
North American trade reached record levels in 2024, reinforcing Mexico and Canada’s importance as sourcing and manufacturing hubs
Interest in U.S.-based manufacturing, especially for critical goods, is rising in tandem with industrial policy support and geopolitical risk mitigation
Government as a Central Supply Chain Actor
One of the clearest takeaways from recent months is the growing influence of government policy in shaping logistics outcomes. From tariffs and port fees to cargo theft enforcement and smuggling crackdowns, public sector decisions now have an outsized impact on supply chain performance.
Logistics providers are increasingly stepping into the policy arena—offering insights, data, and operational feedback—to help shape smarter, less disruptive regulation. The RoRo port fee controversy, for example, has spotlighted the risks of broad policies with unintended side effects and the importance of public–private coordination.
Conclusion: Stabilization with Rainclouds Nearby
While the tariff ceasefire has brought short-term calm, the long-term picture remains unsettled. The logistics industry is making the most of this window—moving cargo, recalibrating networks, and engaging policymakers—but staying prepared for renewed volatility.
In short, the storm has paused—but no one is packing away the umbrella just yet.
Wakool Transport Response: Navigating the 90-Day Truce with Resilient Logistics Solutions
In light of the temporary U.S.–China tariff rollback, Wakool Transport is working closely with clients to capitalize on the short-term relief while building safeguards against potential volatility once the truce expires. Our approach is centered on agility, foresight, and cost optimization across every link in the supply chain.
Strategic Freight Timing
We coordinate with importers to fast-track high-priority shipments while tariffs remain lowered, helping maximize short-term cost savings.
Warehouse Buffering
Our U.S.-based fulfillment centers enable clients to store goods in advance, reducing dependence on last-minute imports post-summer.
Tariff-Aware Routing
Wakool’s logistics experts help optimize shipping routes to bypass high-duty lanes and adapt quickly if tariffs snap back.
Customs Compliance & Risk Planning
From HTS classification reviews to bonded warehouse solutions, we ensure efficient clearance and mitigate cost exposure.
As global trade conditions evolve, Wakool Transport stands ready with proactive, tariff-smart solutions to help businesses maintain momentum, protect margins, and prepare for what comes next.
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