Containerised cargo imports into the US from Asia have continued to grow over the last 7 years despite the introduction of US import tariffs since 2018. Overall cargo growth grew by 3.5% on a compounded basis between 2017 and 2024 with all Asian origins recording positive cargo growth, including China that posted growth of 0.8% during the period. Although China’s share of total US imports from Asia decreased from 70.4% in 2017 to 58.9% in 2024, it remains the largest origin country of containe
The outcome of the US presidential elections will drive further instability in the container markets, with US imports poised to rise ahead of the potential imposition of new tariffs. Based on data collected since 2018, the cargo front loading could raise US container imports by as much as 10% to 15% in the next 3 months. Although this will drive up freight rates in the short term, the longer term impact of any trade war on global container volumes will be negative even though US import tariffs i