Trade to US already collapsed: 'Cargo bookings down two-thirds' Author : BNR Web Editors The American import duties will cause delays in exports to the US. According to the logistics industry association Evofenedex, the American customs does not have sufficient capacity to process the tangle of tariffs. 'A fairly big task', is what policy advisor Casper Roerade calls it. In addition, it can be seen that global exports to the US have already decreased considerably.
Because each country has a different tariff and there are still exceptions for certain goods that are loaded before April 5. 'And they will still be at sea for a while before they arrive in the US', says Roerade, which means that problems can be expected in the coming weeks.
Other treatment On top of that, Chinese shipments will be treated differently, which will further increase the workload on customs. 'Shipments under $800 are normally exempt from import duties, but for China that will be cancelled from May 2.'
Read also Trade war puts pressure on Dutch Customs capacity What will also not make it any easier for US customs officials is that Trump is encouraging all countries to come and negotiate. All tariffs are already different per individual country, and can therefore be changed and postponed at any time as a result of negotiations.
That uncertainty also hinders exporting companies here, says Roerade. 'Of course, negotiations for a lower rate are something that companies hope for, but, with the uncertainty that exists now, companies are now in waiting mode, in which orders and projects are put on hold.'
Trade decline Evofenedex sees in global freight figures that companies are halting trade with the US. 'We are already seeing that. The number of bookings for sea freight has dropped by 67 percent in a week.' According to Evofenedex, in the week prior to the announcement of the import duties, there were bookings worldwide for 516,000 containers with the US as their destination. That had plummeted to 169,000 containers in the week after. These are reservations for future use of containers.
