Shipping companies cut routes between the U.S. and China

Trade tensions in maritime transport: consequences of the U.S.–China trade war

Trade tensions have escalated with the imposition of U.S. tariffs as high as 145% on Chinese products, accompanied by retaliatory measures from Beijing. Although negotiations are ongoing and a new round of talks is expected this week in Switzerland, industry executives do not foresee a swift resolution.

The immediate consequence has been a drop in shipping rates. According to Drewry Shipping Consultants, the cost of transporting a 40-foot container from Shanghai to Los Angeles reached its lowest level since 2023 in March, defying current market expectations. In addition to tariffs, new U.S. measures—such as eliminating tax exemptions for small shipments and plans to impose extra duties on large Chinese vessels—are creating even more uncertainty for shipping companies. In response, operators are turning to less volatile markets.

The impact extends beyond container shipping. Bulk carriers and tankers, which previously transported U.S. agricultural and energy exports to China, are also facing challenges. Crude oil flows from the U.S. Gulf to China came to a halt in April, and some tankers—like one carrying propane—were forced to reroute following the imposition of new Chinese taxes.

“Dry bulk bilateral trade between the two powers is virtually shut down,” concluded Roar Adland, head of research at SSY, who warned that diversions to closer markets could affect global demand for maritime transport. Meanwhile, uncertainty remains the dominant factor in the trade war between the United States and China, with visible repercussions on maritime shipping and the broader supply chain.