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In a recent Executive Order, U.S. President Donald Trump postponed the effective date for reciprocal tariffs from 12:01 EST on July 9th to 12:01 am EST on August 1st. According to Trump, “all money will be due and payable starting Aug. 1, 2025—No extensions will be granted.” 

Notably, “with respect to the People’s Republic of China (PRC), the separate tariff suspension effectuated by Executive Order 14298 of May 12, 2025 (Modifying Reciprocal Tariff Rates To Reflect Discussions With the People’s Republic of China), remains in effect and is unaltered by this order.”

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The global container shipping industry is showing unprecedented levels of fleet utilization, with commercial idle capacity dropping to a remarkable low of just 0.6%. Only 70 vessels accounting for 185,157 TEUs remain commercially idle. 

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China’s inventory of new containers climbed to a record high 1.55m TEUs in May ‘25. Container shortages were a widespread problem during the covid-19 pandemic and the first USA/China trade tensions in 2018-19, but not anymore. 

Data source: LinerLytica, via Splash247.  

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The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) continues to push forward with its plan to launch port fees on Chinese-built ships later this year. The USTR opened a public comment period regarding proposed modifications to its Section 301 trade actions against China’s maritime sector. Stakeholders have until July 7, 2025, to submit their comments.  

Key modifications under consideration: 

• Changing its fee basis from car equivalent units to net tonnage-based fees under Annex III to help prevent fee evasion and apply special coverage provisions for vessels under the Maritime Security Program.
• Eliminating provisions that previously allowed the suspension of LNG export licenses, retroactive to April 17, and seeking feedback on data requirements from vessel owners or operators.  

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The Trump Administration raised Section 232 steel and aluminum tariffs to 50% (previously 25%), except for the UK, which remains at 25% through July 9th.

The change took effect at 12:01 a.m. Washington D.C. time on Wednesday, June 4th.

Executive Order

Senior rail managers from China, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Iran, and Turkey met in Tehran to collaboratively develop China-Europe container traffic strategies. Increased demand on this route has already been demonstrated, particularly between China and Iran via Kazakhstan, which was 2.6 times greater between January and April 2025 than during the same period in 2024.  

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Latin America’s logistics market reached $360b in 2024 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.6% through 2030. Latin American airfreight carriers are adding cargo capacity as they anticipate healthy demand in a market that appears safe from tariff disruption:  

• Avianca is taking delivery of two Airbus A330 passenger-to-freighter (P2F) aircraft, bringing its cargo fleet to nine aircraft.  

• LATAM is waiting for the arrival of its last converted Boeing 767 freighter.  

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