UNITED STATES EXPANDS TRADE FRAMEWORKS IN SOUTHEAST ASIA The United States signed a new set of reciprocal trade frameworks with Viet Nam, Malaysia, Thailand, and Cambodia. Each pact opens broader access for U.S. goods, simplifies regulations, and builds cooperation in labor, environmental, and digital-trade policy. The agreements also include [...]
WHITE HOUSE FINALIZES SECTION 232 TARIFFS ON TRUCKS AND PARTS The White House confirmed final Section 232 import tariffs on medium- and heavy-duty trucks, vehicle parts, and buses, effective November 1, 2025. The measure establishes duties under the Department of Commerce’s national-security authority and clarifies USMCA treatment, offset provisions, [...]
U.S. AND CHINA INTRODUCE NEW TRADE MEASURES AND EXPORT CONTROLS The White House announced plans to impose a 100 percent tariff on imports from China beginning November 1, 2025. The announcement follows China’s expansion of export controls on rare earth materials used in manufacturing and technology production. The United [...]
USTR SECTION 301 PORT-FEE IMPLEMENTATION PROMPTS FLEET REALIGNMENT The October 14, 2025, implementation of USTR’s Section 301 vessel-fee measure is prompting major carriers to adjust network deployment and reduce exposure to Chinese-built tonnage calling at U.S. ports. The policy introduces phased service fees on Chinese-owned and Chinese-built vessels over [...]
WEAK TRANSPACIFIC DEMAND AND SOUTH CHINA CONGESTION AHEAD OF GOLDEN WEEK Golden Week closures from October 1, 2025, through October 7, 2025, and residual typhoon recovery continue to pressure South China’s supply network while trans-Pacific volumes remain subdued. Space availability is ample across most lanes, with limited constraints on [...]
WEEK 39 FINDS U.S. IMPORTERS FACING GOLDEN WEEK CAPACITY REDUCTIONS AND SEVERE WEATHER IMPACTS IN SOUTH CHINA U.S. importers are preparing for intensified service challenges as carriers accelerate blank sailings in the lead-up to China’s Golden Week and Super Typhoon Ragasa disrupts major South China ports. Vessel deployment strategies [...]
WEEK 38 FINDS U.S. IMPORTERS NAVIGATING CAPACITY CUTS AND SERVICE CHANGES AS CHINA'S GOLDEN WEEK APPROACHES U.S. importers are preparing for potential disruptions ahead of China’s Golden Week holiday beginning October 1. Ocean carriers are executing significant capacity cuts, suspending services, and redeploying vessels to keep supply aligned with [...]
Week 37 finds U.S. importers managing elevated inventories as blank sailings reshape transpacific services, congestion builds at key Asian ports, and new trade policies alter tariff obligations heading into the fourth quarter. IS A PEAK SEASON SURGE TAKING SHAPE? Carriers doubled blank sailings in Weeks 35 and 36, signaling [...]
Booking volumes to the United States dropped 20% over the past six weeks, due to the impact of recent U.S. tariff measures and cautious inventory strategies among importers. Pre-season replenishment drove an early summer peak, but as order volumes in the U.S. remain weak, many shippers are waiting to [...]
In Week 35, importers are seeing mixed signals. Space on key transpacific lanes is tightening just as Golden Week preparations ramp up, while congestion at several Asian ports is slowing vessel operations. A new 25% duty on Indian products is now in force adds another layer of compliance to [...]
