Tariff relief fuels front-loading but China slowdown clouds peak season
- Non-China tariff reprieve could trigger cargo rush to beat July deadline
- Massive cancellation and suspension of Chinese orders will weigh on transpacific vessel utilisation
- Duration of the US-China standoff could depend on factors such as when US inventories drained of Chinese goods compel a resolution
A temporary tariff reprieve for non-China partners could trigger a surge in front-loading and short-term rate hikes, but the unresolved US-China standoff casts a long shadow across peak season planning and inventory flows