Global Maritime Focus
Special Report
Lars Jensen, CEO of consultant Vespucci Maritime and a Journal of Commerce contributor, said the lower tariffs open a window of opportunity for US shippers.
“ The question is whether it will prompt a boost in shipments— effectively pulling the seasonal boost from Chinese New Year forward by more than a month,” Jensen said in a LinkedIn post Nov. 3.“ The coming weeks will show whether this is going to happen, or whether US importers see the upside of lower tariffs more than counteracted by a risk of consumer spending slowdown in the US.”
Jensen pointed out that shippers will have to go through the details of how the deal impacts them specifically.
“ But it is important to note here that almost all US actions are temporary in the sense that actions are merely paused until Nov. 10, 2026,” he wrote.“ This means that more trade talks will have to happen prior to that date, and with this comes the risk of more changes [ positive or negative ].”
Many shippers, carriers and ports welcomed the deal in comments submitted to the US Trade Representative( USTR), but some shipyard-related labor unions argued that US workers will be“ pushed aside” by the decision.
Joe Kramek, president and CEO of the World Shipping Council and one of several respondents to call on the USTR to make the suspension permanent, said the pause would support the“ continued use of US small and medium-sized ports, and contribute to lower costs for US farmers and manufacturers who rely on ocean liner transportation to move $ 335 billion in American exports each year.”
In a joint submission, four labor groups, including the United Steelworkers and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, said the suspension“ will continue to give China a free pass on its predatory behavior and will have far-reaching negative consequences as we attempt to restore
America’ s maritime sector.”
US workers“ are again being pushed aside, even as new commercial orders— worth billions of dollars— flow back into Chinese shipyards,” the unions added.
email: keithwallis @ hotmail. com
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