Copenhagen — Danish transport firm Maersk has benefited from sturdy US demand up to now this yr and expects that to proceed, although the outlook might be clouded by President Donald Trump’s tariff plans, it stated on Wednesday.
Maersk’s common international market outlook was revealed earlier than Trump is predicted to announce contemporary tariffs in a while Wednesday towards nations which have duties on US items.
“US development is [the] fundamental state of affairs, however risky geopolitics cloud financial visibility,” the corporate stated.
Trump’s newest tariff plans have put the transport business on edge because it contemplates the potential of suppressed transport demand in a brewing commerce struggle.
Maersk, one of many world’s largest container transport teams, cautioned that the looming US tariffs might curb international commerce flows regardless of the sturdy begin to 2025. The corporate stated it was monitoring early indicators of what might be slowing momentum in international provide chains.
“With regard to tariffs, the scenario stays unpredictable,” Maersk stated, including that February knowledge confirmed a unbroken enlargement of US stock ranges.
Ongoing and potential tariffs are inflicting shifts in stock methods, with some companies accelerating imports and securing further cupboard space, it added.
The corporate highlighted declining US client confidence over the previous 4 consecutive months as a particular concern.
“Shoppers reacting to perceived dangers and monetary uncertainty can in the end result in cautious spending, which can convey additional ripple results,” it stated, referring to US affect on the worldwide economic system.
The corporate’s knowledge exhibits that China’s share of world container exports elevated to an estimated 36% in 2024 from 32% in 2019.
Reuters
