China saw a 6% year-over-year increase in exports worldwide in June, as retailers sought to take advantage of a 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs between China and the U.S.
However, CNBC reports that, during the same period, China's exports to the U.S. fell by 16%, although that was a marked improvement over the 34.5% dip recorded in May, when companies had largely paused ordering goods out of China because President Trump had imposed tariffs as high as 245% against Chinese goods. But then the two agreed May 14 to a truce, and the levies went back to 30% to give the two sides time to negotiate a new trade deal. With that pause scheduled to end on August 12, businesses resumed front-loading shipments from China in June ahead of the new deadline.
Thailand is weighing allowing zero-duty market access for more U.S. goods to help persuade the Trump administration to lower a threatened 36% tariff on its exports.
Thailand, which has previously cut tariffs on imports of longan and tilapia fish from other countries, could lower the levy for the U.S. on those goods to zero, Finance Minister Pichai Chunahavajira said. The government may also amend existing regulations to allow left-hand drive vehicles from the U.S., and eliminate taxes on goods already included in free-trade agreements with other countries, he said.
In an opening address to the Safety@Sea conference on Tuesday Murali Pillai, Singapore’s Senior Minister of State Ministry of Law & Ministry of Transport noted the heightened geopolitical tensions that shipping faces and the attacks by the Houthi on the bulkers Magic Seas and Eternity C last week in the Red Sea.
“The tragic loss of crew members attacks reminds us that behind every seafarer is their family and loved ones – parents, spouses, children, and siblings – who share the sacrifices,” the Minister of State said.
The European Union and South Korea said on Monday they were working on trade deals with U.S. President Donald Trump that would soften the blow from looming tariffs as Washington threatens to impose hefty duties from August 1.
Trump stepped up his trade war on Saturday, saying he would impose a 30% tariff on most imports from the EU and Mexico from next month, adding to similar warnings for other countries including Asian economic powerhouses Japan and South Korea.
The Port of Los Angeles handled 892,340 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) in June, marking an 8% increase compared to the same period last year and setting a new record for the busiest June in the port’s 117-year history.
“Some importers are bringing in year-end holiday cargo now ahead of potential higher tariffs later in the year,” said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka. “July may be our peak season month as retailers and manufacturers bring orders in earlier than usual, then brace for trade uncertainty.”
Lufthansa Cargo is developing a new type of virtual reality (VR) training for aircraft loading supervisors to improve standards and learning outcomes.
The VR training is designed to prepare employees for their aircraft handling tasks in a realistic manner. Processes, safety regulations and communication can be practised intensively in a virtual environment.
International Transportation Services (ITS), which operates one of the six container terminals at the Port of Long Beach in California, started a major expansion program that will create 19 acres of new space for stacking containers. When the project is completed in 2028, it will increase capacity by 50 percent for ITS to support the long-term growth of the port.
Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL), a subsidiary of Orient Overseas (International) Limited, has released its unaudited operational update for the second quarter ended 30 June 2025, revealing a mixed performance across its major trade lanes.
For the second quarter of 2025, liner revenue fell by 6.5 per cent year on year (YoY) to $2.1 billion, despite a 4.4 per cent increase in total liftings (1.96 million TEUs).