By interlink | 27/03/2025

US Tightens Tariffs: Directly Affects Only 1.5% of Global Shipping, But Risks Remain.

According to Clarksons Research, although US tariffs are attracting significant attention, they currently only directly impact 1.5% of global shipping traffic. While this figure may seem modest, the risk of escalation remains, potentially altering trade policy and reshaping the international shipping network in the future.

Mỹ siết chặt thuế quan: Ảnh hưởng trực tiếp chỉ 1,5% vận tải biển toàn cầu nhưng rủi ro vẫn rình rập

The Actual Impact of US Tariffs on Shipping

Data from Clarksons Research shows that during the 2018-2019 trade war, the volume of goods transported (in ton-miles) decreased by only 0.5%. This reflects that, although US tariff policies have had some impact, they are not large enough to comprehensively disrupt global supply chains.

However, experts warn that US trade policy remains highly volatile. If tensions escalate, the indirect impact could increase, putting pressure on global supply chains and driving up shipping costs.

US Investigates China’s Dominance in the Maritime Industry

This week, the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) will hold public hearings on March 24 and 26, 2025, to review its Section 301 investigation into China’s dominance in the maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors. If the investigation concludes that China is engaging in unfair competition, the U.S. could impose new sanctions, including:

  • Imposing port duties on ships built in China when they dock at U.S. ports.
  • Requiring U.S. exporters to ship a certain percentage of their goods on ships owned and operated by the U.S.

These measures could significantly alter the flow of maritime transport between the US and China, impacting the costs and logistics strategies of many international businesses.

The Uncertain Future of US Tariff Policy

According to Judah Levine, head of research at Freightos, the outlook for US tariff policy remains highly uncertain. He predicts that the US could:

  • Significantly increase tariffs on Chinese goods.
  • Face retaliatory measures from other countries.
  • Propose new port fees targeting Chinese ships and carriers.
  • Restore the 25% tariff on all imports from Canada and Mexico, expected to be announced in early April.

Peter Sand, an analyst from Xeneta, believes that these uncertainties will force businesses to recalculate their import strategies. They will seek ways to optimize transportation costs through freight negotiations or supply chain adjustments to avoid increased tariffs and fees.

In summary

Although US tariffs currently only impact a small fraction of global shipping, changes in trade policy could create a domino effect, affecting entire international supply chains. In this context, businesses need to closely monitor policy developments and have flexible strategies to mitigate risks.

NEWS & BLOG

RELATED ARTICLES

05/10/2026 By interlink

More Than 3,500 Businesses Rush into China’s Russian Goods Market — Then the Boom Quickly Turns Sour

Russia–China trade reached a record USD 244.8 billion in 2024, fueling a rapid surge in the popularity of Russian consumer products in the Chinese market. Thousands of businesses quickly entered the sector. However, the market soon began showing signs of instability as misrepresentation of product origin undermined consumer trust. The “Russian Goods” Boom in China […]

Read more
25/09/2026 By interlink

SMART WAREHOUSING IS CHANGING THE LOGISTICS GAME: THE “KEY” LIES IN SOFTWARE!

Rising facility costs, increasing labor expenses, and growing demands for speed, accuracy, and inventory visibility are putting greater pressure on businesses. So, what is the solution to the warehouse challenges of the modern era? According to Alessandro Duca, Managing Director of ICAM Asia-Pacific, one of the key factors enabling businesses to enter the era of […]

Read more
21/09/2026 By interlink

RISING TENSIONS IN THE MIDDLE EAST CONTINUE TO PUT PRESSURE ON THE OIL MARKET

Missile and drone attacks targeting Riyadh and oil infrastructure in Yanbu are raising concerns over energy supplies in the Middle East. Yemen’s Houthi forces claimed to have carried out attacks on what they described as “sensitive” targets in Riyadh, while also targeting a Saudi Aramco facility in Yanbu, one of Saudi Arabia’s key oil export […]

Read more
17/09/2026 By interlink

STRAIT OF HORMUZ NEARLY PARALYZED: ONLY 4 VESSELS PASSED THROUGH IN ONE DAY

According to Reuters, only four commercial vessels passed through the Strait of Hormuz on September 15, compared with an average of around 125–140 vessels per day before the conflict. The sharp decline in maritime traffic is raising significant concerns for global shipping, supply chains, and energy markets. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the […]

Read more
17/09/2026 By interlink

INTERLINK MINI DANCE CHALLENGE – CLOSING THE DANCE COURSE WITH CONNECTION AND MEMORABLE MOMENTS

On September 15, 2026, Interlink organized the “Mini Dance Challenge”, a dance competition marking the closing of a training course for valued partners and Interlink employees after 12 sessions of learning and practice. More than just a platform for participants to showcase the dance moves they had developed throughout the course, the event was also […]

Read more
14/09/2026 By interlink

AMAZON SUSPENDS OPERATIONS WITH 21 AIR FOLLOWING MIAMI CARGO PLANE CRASH

Amazon has announced that it is temporarily suspending operations with cargo airline 21 Air following a serious accident at Miami International Airport in the United States. On September 6, 2026, a Boeing 767-300 operated by 21 Air as part of the Amazon Air network crashed while landing at Miami International Airport. The aircraft subsequently collided […]

Read more
10/09/2026 By interlink

INTERLINK COMPLETES BOILER SYSTEM TRANSPORTATION PROJECT FROM CHINA TO MY XUAN A INDUSTRIAL PARK

In project logistics, transporting large-scale industrial equipment with complex structures requires more than simply moving cargo from one location to another. It requires careful planning, appropriate transportation solutions, strict cargo securing procedures, and close coordination throughout the entire logistics process. Interlink has recently completed the transportation of a steel boiler system from China to My […]

Read more
09/09/2026 By interlink

286 DAYS AT SEA: US AIRCRAFT CARRIER SHOWS SIGNS OF AN ARDUOUS JOURNEY

After 286 consecutive days at sea, the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln arrived at Laem Chabang Port in Thailand on September 2. Images taken after its arrival showed large areas of rust and marine growth around the ship’s waterline, providing visible evidence of the long period the vessel spent operating at sea. USS Abraham […]

Read more
07/09/2026 By interlink

218,000 BARRELS/DAY AT RISK OF SHORTAGE: MARINE FUEL SUPPLIES COME UNDER PRESSURE

The global marine fuel market is facing a potential supply shortage in Q3 2026 as refineries come under pressure from prolonged geopolitical conflicts and supply disruptions. According to Reuters, the shortfall in fuel oil used by ships and power plants could reach 218,000 barrels per day, a sharp increase from just around 6,000 barrels per […]

Read more
05/09/2026 By interlink

7 EXPORT PRODUCTS EXCEEDING USD 10 BILLION IN THE FIRST 8 MONTHS OF 2026

In the first eight months of 2026, seven major Vietnamese export product groups recorded export values exceeding USD 10 billion, reaffirming the strong momentum of Vietnam’s exports and the growing position of Vietnamese products in international markets. Leading the way was Computers, Electronic Products and Components, with an export value of USD 101.059 billion, accounting […]

Read more

Contact Us

Get Solutions Now

We respond to all requests within 24 hours.

0937 48 18 98

    Full Name *
    Email Address *
    Phone Number *
    Service Type *
    Message *