Trump tariffs see retailers boosting US container imports

Frontloading is just one way retailers are trying to cope with the effects of tariffs in the near term, said NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold, in a release.

“While we support the need to address the fentanyl crisis at our borders, new tariffs on China and other countries will mean higher prices for American families,” Gold said. “Retailers have engaged in mitigation strategies to minimize the potential impact of tariffs, including frontloading of some products, but that can lead to increased challenges because of added warehousing and related costs. We hope to resolve our outstanding border security issues as quickly as possible because there will be a significant impact on the economy if increased tariffs are maintained and expanded.”

There is also a concern on the part of importers, who continue to bring shipments forward, that China tariffs could increase further.

“There isn’t just one set of tariffs,” Gold told FreightWaves in an interview. “President Trump has also spoken about universal baseline tariffs, more tariffs on China and other countries, as well as reciprocal tariffs. So, there’s a wide variety of tariff discussions, and uncertainty over tariffs, that figure into retailers’ approach to the supply chain.”

Tariffs and the threat of a strike by union longshore workers for months spurred frontloading through December.

The White House on Feb. 1 announced tariffs of 25% on most imports from Canada and Mexico, and 10% on goods from China. The Canadian and Mexican tariffs were suspended on Feb. 3  for 30 days; the China tariffs took effect on Feb. 4.

Since retail merchandise from Mexico and Canada primarily moves by truck or train, the near-term effect on port traffic was seen as minimal. 

“At this stage, the situation is fluid, and it’s too early to know if the tariffs will be implemented, removed or further delayed,” said Hackett Associates founder Ben Hackett. “As such, our view of North American imports has not changed significantly for the next six months.”

The International Longshoremen’s Association and port employers represented by the United States Maritime Alliance agreed on a tentative contract days before an extension of the current pact was due to expire Jan. 15. The union expects to send the new contract to a ratification vote by members later this month.

January data has yet to be released, but the Global Port Tracker projected volume of 2.11 million TEUs, a gain of 7.8% y/y. Usually the slowest month of the year, February is forecast at 1.96 million TEUs, up 0.2% y/y despite the shutdown of factories for Lunar New Year.

March is forecast at 2.14 million TEUs, up 11.1%, April at 2.18 million TEUs, up 8.2%, and May at 2.19 million TEUs, up 5.4%. A decline of 0.6% on volume of 2.13 million TEUs is forecast for June.

This article was update Feb. 10 with comments from Jonathan Gold of the NRF, in an interview with FreightWaves.

Find more articles by Stuart Chirls here.

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