Trump’s tariff policy hits global container shipping bookings

By Admin

15 Apr, 2025

The ripple effects of President Donald Trump’s recent tariff policy are beginning to shake the global maritime industry, with international container shipping activity showing sharp declines across both imports and exports.

Drastic Drop in US Import Bookings

According to data released by Vizion’s Tradeview platform, which tracks global container shipping trade flows in real time, the U.S. saw a dramatic decline in container import bookings over the past week. The numbers dropped to 169,000 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units)—a stark contrast to 516,000 TEUs booked the previous week.

A deeper look reveals the true impact of trade tensions with China. When isolating bookings originating from China, the figures fell even more significantly—from 148,000 TEUs in the previous week to just 54,000 TEUs. This data signals a strong reaction from U.S. importers, many of whom are reconsidering or postponing shipments due to the increased cost burden brought on by the tariffs.

US Export Bookings Also Plummet

Export figures tell a similar story. The U.S. export bookings fell from 139,000 TEUs to 83,000 TEUs over the last seven days. When filtered for China as the export destination, the numbers show a significant dip—from 8,000 TEUs to just 4,400 TEUs. The reduced trade volume highlights growing uncertainty among exporters and global partners who are grappling with the implications of shifting trade dynamics.

Global Shipping Takes a Hit

The impact isn't limited to the United States. Global container bookings have also suffered a major setback. Between March 24–31, a total of 2.1 million TEUs were recorded globally. However, in the following week, only 1.09 million TEUs were booked—a staggering 48% decrease. This global downturn underscores the widespread concern and hesitation that Trump’s trade measures have sparked among international shippers.

Conclusion: Uncertainty in Global Trade

As the international maritime sector continues to adjust to the evolving trade landscape, it is evident that policy decisions in Washington are reshaping global logistics in real time. Shippers, logistics providers, and exporters around the world are now forced to navigate a volatile environment, where tariffs and trade wars have become pivotal factors in operational planning.

The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether these declines represent a short-term market reaction—or the beginning of a longer-term shift in global shipping trends.