Trendwatch: US, China resume talks in Stockholm to ease tariff hostilities; Union Pacific, Norfolk Southern agree to merge; Bangladesh orders 25 Boeing planes as part of push to ease US tariffs

This article delves into the intricate relationships between global trade tariffs and their effects on international business dynamics highlighting how complex trade networks shape economic landscapes and influence various industries worldwide.

US, China resume talks in Stockholm to ease tariff hostilities

U.S. and Chinese officials began a second day of talks in Stockholm on Tuesday to resolve longstanding economic disputes and step back from an escalating trade war between the world's two biggest economies.

The meetings may not yield immediate large breakthroughs but the two sides could agree to another 90-day extension of a tariff truce struck in mid-May. It may also pave the way for a potential meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping later in the year, though Trump on Tuesday denied going out of his way to seek one.

Bangladesh orders 25 Boeing planes as part of push to ease US tariffs

Bangladesh has ordered 25 aircraft from Boeing and ramped up imports of key American goods in an effort to defuse trade tensions and bring down the steep tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, a senior official said on Sunday.

The moves are part of a broader strategy to narrow a $6 billion U.S. trade deficit with Bangladesh and avoid a looming 35% tariff hike that has rattled the country's export sector, especially the garments industry which risks losing competitiveness in one of its largest markets.

Houthis Vow to Ramp Up Attacks on Ships in Red Sea

Houthi rebels say that they will expand their attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea to include any ships that do business at Israeli ports.

According to the Associated Press, the Houthi's plans announced on July 27 are part of an escalation described as the fourth phase of their naval campaign against Israel. The group said that moving forward, it will target "all ships belonging to any company that deals with the ports of the Israeli enemy, regardless of the nationality of that company." The rebel group also stated that any countries looking to avert this escalation should pressure Israel to lift its blockade of the Gaza Strip.

No tariff effect for rebound in Southeast Asia-US volumes

Air cargo tonnages from Southeast Asia to the US have rebounded, but this is due to a previous drop in volumes rather than a surge ahead of the 1 August US tariffs deadline.

This is the verdict of the latest WorldACD Market Data report, which found that following big drops in the previous week (week 28), tonnages from various Southeast Asia origin markets to the US rebounded strongly in week 29 (14–20 July), regaining most or all of the volumes lost the previous week.

Container fleet evolving to meet new realities

Changing alliances, geopolitical shifts and ageing tonnage are influencing the composition of the global fleet as Gemini challenges competitors to meet its schedule reliability while shippers and carriers look to swerve tariffs.

The jury is still out on whether the Gemini Cooperation has managed to meet shipper expectations. In a recent webinar, Xeneta senior shipping analyst, Emily Stausbøll reported reliability of 90% for Hapag-Lloyd and 89% for Maersk since Gemini operations had begun, in February this year.

Trendwatch: US, China resume talks in Stockholm to ease tariff hostilities; Union Pacific, Norfolk Southern agree to merge; Bangladesh orders 25 Boeing planes as part of push to ease US tariffs

US, China resume talks in Stockholm to ease tariff hostilities

Union Pacific, Norfolk Southern agree to merge

Bangladesh orders 25 Boeing planes as part of push to ease US tariffs

Houthis Vow to Ramp Up Attacks on Ships in Red Sea

No tariff effect for rebound in Southeast Asia-US volumes

Container fleet evolving to meet new realities

US fleets face delivery time pressure & driver availability issues

Chinese ports container volumes up 6.9% in H1

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