Trump 2.0, DHL tragedy, and freight markets: Geopolitical risks and outlook for 2025

In this episode of The Freight Buyers' Club, we tackle a turbulent few weeks for global logistics. With parcels network security being tightened following the DHL plane crash in Vilnius, we explore the implications for freight safety and geopolitical tensions.

Guests dissect how a new wave of tariffs under Trump 2.0 could impact global trade, US importers and exporters, and shippers pivoting supply chains to Southeast Asia and Latin America. And we hear how new tariffs threats are being received – and acted upon - in Asia.

This episode, produced with the support of Dimerco Express Group, also examines air and ocean freight markets heading into 2025, including the pressures of Chinese New Year, a possible US East Coast port shutdown, and potential reforms to the de minimis rules. 

Guests

Paul Bingham, Director, Transportation Consulting, S&P Global Market Intelligence

Cathy Roberson, Founder, Logistics, Trends & Insights

Kathy Liu, VP, Global Sales and Marketing, Dimerco Express Group

Episode in more detail:

DHL freight tragedy – security implications (2.29)

How did the US peak season go? (5.30)

Trump 2.0 – State of the Union (6.30)

New tariffs (8.16)

Economics – Republican v Orthodox (11.26)

January freight market crunch looms (14.19)

Tariffs and Trump: The view from Asia (18.51)

Accelerating China + 1 (19.55)

Frontloading? (21.27)

Reforming de minimis (23.59)

S&P’s view on the China economy (28.33)

Geopolitical trade risk in 2025 (30.52)

Diversification of sourcing (33.26)

US domestic freight recession over? (37.05)

Crony capitalism risk (40.33)

Container shipping outlook (43.07)

Air freight outlook (45.34)

Note:

As cited in the podcast: The Political Economy of Tariff Exemption Grants - https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3963039