Jaguar Freight | The Weekly Roar – The U.S. extends China tariff pause, imports surged in July, air cargo facing turbulence, supply chain visibility in healthcare, and improved container shipping emissions.

Last week, President Trump signed an executive order that extends the suspension of high U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods for another 90 days. Without the extension, tariffs would have returned to the peak levels of 145% on Chinese imports and 125% on U.S. goods that were seen in April. Since May, both sides have maintained reduced rates of 30% for the U.S. and 10% for China. Of course, what this means is uncertainty continues to prevail for now.

U.S. containerized imports surged in July, hitting 2.62 million TEUs, which is just shy of the record set in May 2022. The spike was driven by seasonal demand, tariff uncertainty, and an increase in front-loading from importers who wanted to get ahead of policy changes. Most notably, Chinese imports climbed 44% month over month, accounting for 35% of U.S. imports as businesses made ready for the end of the de minimis exemption. Top U.S. ports also saw notable month-over-month volume increases, especially Miami and Houston.

Like ocean freight, U.S. air cargo is facing turbulence from new trade policies, especially the elimination of the de minimis exception and increased tariffs. This has triggered a sharp drop in air cargo volumes, which were down roughly 25% through May and up to 60% on China-U.S. routes. Not surprisingly, e-commerce shipments have suffered the most, which were down 50% in May as companies pivoted to slower sea freight for low-value goods. This has airlines looking into cost-cutting strategies like relocating operations, hybrid logistics models, and shipment consolidation. Regardless, the outlook isn’t good, pushing the IATA to slash its 2025 growth forecast to nearly zero. Ongoing tariff volatility, retaliatory measures, and shifting trade routes are all forcing carriers to reconsider network and fleet strategies.

Supply chain visibility is essential in healthcare, since it directly impacts patient safety and operational efficiency. For example, real-time tracking and data integration make it possible for healthcare supply chains to anticipate shortages, minimize waste, and ensure timely delivery, all of which support care continuity. Notably, research shows that the average hospital in the U.S. overspends on supply chain costs by around $12.1 million per year, highlighting the financial impact of poor visibility. Working together, technology and supply chain partners help to optimize inventory, forecast demand, and streamline procurement. Transparency in supply movement also builds stronger vendor relationships through data-driven performance management and collaboration.

A new report shows that container shipping carbon emissions have improved, with the Carbon Emissions Index (CEI) dropping to 97.4 after a spike in 2024 caused by Red Sea disruptions. Even though most ships continue to avoid the Suez Canal, emissions are nearing pre-crisis levels, with Far East-U.S. routes showing the best efficiency. However, Red Sea-affected routes and those using smaller ships or higher speeds, often necessary to meet tariff deadlines, recorded higher emissions. Carbon efficiency continues to increase in importance, with CMA CGM and HMM leading the top-performing carriers on key trades.

For the rest of the week’s top shipping news, check out the article highlights here.

Compliments of Jaguar Freight – a member of the EACCNY.