Maersk has reported a notable decrease in effective U.S. import tariffs, now averaging 21% relative to container load, according to a recent report by the Danish shipping company. This represents a significant reduction from the 54% rate observed shortly after the tariff announcement by President Donald Trump in April. The IndexBox platform corroborates this trend, highlighting a broader impact on global trade dynamics.
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With more than a dozen major U.S. trading partners eager to finalize agreements with the Trump administration by the July 9 deadline, the potential for tariffs to return to higher levels looms large. Maersk’s global market update emphasized the importance of these negotiations, noting their potential to influence global trade and consumer sentiment in the coming months.
The shipping giant also noted a strong demand for container shipments in the first half of the year, attributing this to customers advancing orders in anticipation of tariff changes. Additionally, Maersk observed a shift in supply chain strategies, with many U.S. customers reducing their reliance on Chinese imports. In particular, the apparel and fashion sectors have achieved single-digit dependency on China, while other sectors, such as home improvements, remain more reliant due to the nature of their products.