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March 12, 2025

How New U.S. Tariffs Are Disrupting Global Supply Chains – A Freight Forwarder’s Perspective

At Fortune Freight, we specialize in navigating global trade complexities—but the latest U.S. tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China are creating significant disruptions for shippers, manufacturers, and retailers alike.

As of March 4, 2025, the U.S. has:

✅ Imposed a 25% tariff on imports from Canada & Mexico, increasing costs on automotive parts, electronics, and food products.

✅ Increased tariffs on Chinese and Hong Kong imports from 10% to 20%, with specific exemptions for goods in transit before February 1, 2025.

📉 What This Means for Global Trade

Rising Costs & Delays – Importers are facing higher landed costs and longer clearance times, forcing them to rethink sourcing strategies.

Supply Chain Shifts – Companies are diversifying into Mexico, Vietnam, and India to bypass tariffs.

Manufacturing Disruptions – Industries like automotive, electronics, and heavy machinery are seeing supply chain bottlenecks.

📦 China & Hong Kong Tariff Changes – What You Need to Know

Tariffs doubled from 10% to 20%, effective March 4, 2025.

Goods entered for consumption after 12:01 AM on March 4 will be subject to the 20% tariff.

Goods in transit before February 1, 2025, and entered by March 7, 2025, are exempt from the additional tariffs.

These changes will significantly impact duty spend and could fast-track continuous bond saturation.

🏭 Industry-Specific Impact We’re Seeing at Fortune Freight

Manufacturing – Automotive giants like Ford and Tesla must restructure supply chains as tariffs increase costs on imported electronics, steel, and aluminum.

Agriculture – U.S. soybean, pork, and dairy exporters are losing market share in China, causing shifts to alternative trade routes and partners.

Retail & Consumer Goods – 92% of apparel and 53% of footwear come from China—leading major retailers like Walmart and Macy’s to adjust procurement strategies.

Technology – NVIDIA, Intel, and Apple depend on Chinese-made semiconductors and hardware, now facing higher costs and sourcing challenges.

Steel & Aluminum – While U.S. steelmakers benefit, construction and automotive industries face rising material costs, increasing project expenses.

🌍 The Bigger Picture

These tariffs are reshaping global trade—creating new challenges but also opportunities for businesses to rethink sourcing, production, and logistics strategies.

💬 How are these tariffs impacting your industry? Let’s discuss below! ⬇️

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