President Donald Trump has already made headlines in his second term with a wave of new import tariffs. The 47th U.S. president issued three executive orders on Feb. 1, 2025, just days after his inauguration, directing the United States to impose a 25% ad valorem tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico and a 10% tariff on imports from China. Canadian energy resource exports will be subject to a 10% tariff. The tariffs apply to all imports entered for consumption or withdrawn from warehouses for consumption on or after 12:01 a.m. Eastern time on Feb. 4, 2025.
Trump also told reporters on Feb. 8, 2025, that a 25% tariff on all American steel and aluminum imports would take effect nationwide later in the month.
Leading 40-foot shipping container supplier Cleveland Containers has analyzed early reactions to these measures and how Trump’s second term could impact the global shipping industry, drawing comparisons to his first term.
International Reactions to the Tariffs
Mexico, Canada, and China responded swiftly to the tariff announcements.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum vowed resilience against the measures. A senior Canadian government official said Canada would challenge the decision through legal action in international forums. Meanwhile, China announced it would challenge the tariffs at the World Trade Organization. According to China’s finance ministry, as reported by Geopolitical Intelligence Services, Beijing planned to impose 15% levies on American coal and liquefied natural gas, as well as 10% levies on crude oil, certain vehicles, and farm equipment.
Regarding the new tariffs on American steel and aluminum imports, Trump stated in the Oval Office: “This is a big deal, the beginning of making America rich again. Our nation requires steel and aluminum to be made in America, not in foreign lands.”
François-Philippe Champagne, Canada’s Minister of Innovation, called the tariffs “totally unjustified” and posted on X: “Canadian steel and aluminum support key industries in the U.S., from defense and shipbuilding to auto. We will continue to stand up for Canada, our workers, and our industries.”
Potential Impact on Global Shipping
Just before Trump’s second inauguration, J. Bruce Chan, an analyst in transportation and future mobility at investment firm Stifel, said the shipping industry was preparing for the new tariffs but warned of uncertain consequences.
“Trump’s administration promises to usher in a new trade and tariff regime,” Chan told Morningstar. “As such, it’s difficult to assess the ultimate impact on the freight transportation industry. Prima facie, we believe tariffs are a drag on freight demand, effectively resulting in higher costs for shippers that are generally passed on to end consumers over time.”
Chan also noted that ocean container shipping would likely feel the most significant effects.
“Because almost all trans-Pacific trade moves over the ocean, we believe ocean container shipping will see the largest direct impact. But for shippers and retailers, there is no cheaper way to move goods than over the ocean, so there are few modal alternatives if production remains in Asia,” he said. “We see the most risk for maritime shipping, with containers and dry bulk being more acutely affected, though oil and gas tankers have more insulation.”
While it will take time to assess the full impact of these new tariffs, analysts have examined Trump’s first term for insight. Lloyd’s List reported that previous tariffs under Trump affected both spot container freight rates and import timing. Importers rushed to move goods before tariff deadlines in 2018, temporarily raising spot rates but leading to inventory overhang in 2019. Similar trends could emerge in 2025 and 2026.
Jason Miller, a freight economist and supply chain management professor at Michigan State University, predicted another significant shift in trade patterns.
“We will see front-loading like never before in 2025,” Miller told Lloyd’s List prior to Trump’s re-election. “There will be a massive pull-forward of demand as everyone rushes to bring in long-life inputs and goods from tariffed countries, especially China.”
International shipping and forwarding agents Supreme Freight Services noted that Trump’s previous trade policies disrupted shipping volumes and global supply chains. They cautioned that the new tariffs could have similar effects, though increased investment in U.S. ports and inland waterways might enhance domestic and international trade efficiency.
Cleveland Containers’ Response
Cleveland Containers has reassured customers that it is well-positioned to manage any supply chain disruptions caused by the new tariffs.
“Recent history suggests that Trump’s tariffs will have various knock-on effects across the shipping industry,” said Hayley Hedley, the company’s commercial director. “Fortunately, Cleveland Containers has a continuous supply of shipping containers entering the U.K. We work with several agents to ship from various locations and maintain strong stock levels, so we are confident in our ability to serve our customers.”
