In this exclusive Freight Buyers’ Club interview, World Shipping Council CEO & President Joe Kramek unpacks the impact of the U.S. port fees on China-built vessels, why the policy may backfire on U.S. exporters and manufacturers, and how it blindsided vehicle carriers.

We also explore the bigger picture: the ongoing trade disruptions, their impact on container shipping, and what a comprehensive, long-term U.S. shipbuilding strategy might look like. Plus, what the historic IMO emissions deal really means for freight buyers — and why global rules beat a patchwork of regional ones.

This episode was produced with the support of Ontegos Cloud [https://www.ontegos.cloud/]

Topics covered:

• U.S. policy on shipbuilding and China
  • Why new port fees may harm U.S. interests
  • The surprise hit to vehicle carriers
  • Supply chain impacts of geopolitical instability
  • Green fuel rules from 2028 & the cost for shippers
  • What a real U.S. maritime industrial strategy could look like
  • What’s next from the WSC in Washington and at the IMO

As referenced in the discussion. This is Mike’s Explainer on the new IMO rules:

New IMO GHG Emissions Deal = Higher Shipping Costs? | Freight Buyers’ Club Explainer

https://youtu.be/yT3wHc1H9FQ

In this deep-dive in US shipping policy, maritime analyst Sal Mercogliano and industry expert John McCown join us to break down one of the biggest stories in global shipping: America’s push to reclaim maritime power.

We unpack the political, economic, and strategic moves shaping the future of US shipping — and what they mean for freight buyers, port operators, and the global supply chain. From proposed port fees on Chinese-built vessels to international shipyard collaboration, this conversation cuts through the noise with straight talk from two of the smartest minds in maritime.

What’s driving the US pivot back to shipbuilding?
Could new tariffs and policies hit freight buyers hardest?
How are foreign carriers responding behind the scenes?

Featuring:

John McCown, Non-Resident Senior Fellow at the Center for Maritime Security

Sal Mercogliano, Maritime Professor and Host, ‘What’s Going On With Shipping’

This is an extended clip from EP4o of The Freight Buyers’ Club, produced with the support of Dimerco Express Group. [https://dimerco.com/]

If you're in logistics, shipping, supply chain strategy, or C-suite decision-making, this is essential listening.

KEY TOPICS:

• US maritime policy changes under Biden and Trump
• Freight buyer impact of new China port tariffs
• The CMA CGM–White House deal and its fallout
• How alliances are shifting in response
• Strategic implications for transshipment and port calls

Major new U.S. shipping policies are here — and they’re shaking global trade.
In this special two-part episode of the Freight Buyers’ Club, produced with the support of Dimerco Express Group, we break down the latest U.S. tariffs, port fee changes, and policy strategy shifts that are reshaping global trade, logistics and freight.

In Part One: Tactical Insights for Shippers & Importers
We’re joined by:
➡️ Cindy Allen, CEO of Trade Force Multiplier & former CBP/FedEx exec
➡️ Peter Sand, Chief Analyst at Xeneta

Topics covered:
✔️ New U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports
✔️ De minimis changes (under $800 rules)
✔️ SME survival strategies amid tariff chaos
✔️ How shipping companies are adapting
✔️ What this means for the Transpac contract season

⚓ In Part Two: The Strategy Behind the Chaos (from 35.00)
We talk to:
➡️ John McCown, maritime veteran, author & former liner exec
➡️ Sal Mercogliano, maritime historian & creator of What’s Going on With Shipping

We dig into:
✔️ The White House plan to rebuild U.S. maritime dominance
✔️ Controversial port fees on Chinese-built vessels
✔️ Shipbuilding policy & Jones Act barriers
✔️ America’s maritime labour crisis
✔️ U.S. rejection of IMO emissions rules
✔️ Section 301 investigations & chokepoint strategy

LINKS & RESOURCES:

Ep. 39 with NRF’s Jon Gold: #39 The White House Kid: Tariff On, Tariff Off https://youtu.be/aIOrTc_v3oY

: Tariffs On, Tariffs Off? Jon Gold (NRF) Explains Retail Supply Chain Chaos https://youtu.be/mHLNTSxmPDA

Executive Order: Restoring America’s Maritime Dominance: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/04/restoring-americas-maritime-dominance/

What do YOU think?
Will these new policies protect American shipping — or choke it? Drop your thoughts in the comments.

️ Listen to Freight Buyers’ Club wherever you get your podcasts.
Subscribe for weekly deep dives into global trade & shipping.
Hit the YouTube bell so you don’t miss what’s next.

Episode in more detail:

00:00 Introduction to the Freight Buyers Club

01:37 Introduction to Today's Two-Part Episode

02:11 Cindy Allen's Background and Expertise

02:35 Discussion on US Tariffs and Trade Policies

03:58 Peter Sand's Analysis on Container Markets

11:04 Impact of Tariffs on US Businesses

19:48 Challenges Faced by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

23:31 Changes in De Minimis Exemptions

28:23 Global Container Shipping Market Trends and US Port Fees

Part 2 (35.00)

36.05 Trump’s Maritime Policies – Pros & Cons

41:53 Executive Order and Maritime Prosperity Zones

42:16 Political Dynamics in US Shipping Policy

43:00 International Collaboration in Shipbuilding

45:09 Chinese Built Ships and US Ports Fees

45:58 US Trade Representative's Revised Plan

47:10 Industry Reactions to New Shipping Fees

55:31 Challenges in US Shipbuilding and Seafarer Pool

01:04:25 US Rejection of IMO Emissions Rules

01:06:12 Federal Maritime Commission's Role and Future

Tariffs on. Tariffs off. And no one’s quite sure what comes next.

In this episode, host Mike King digs into the chaos surrounding U.S. trade policy, as shippers, retailers, and forwarders scramble to make sense of the White House’s shifting stance on China, exemptions, and trade deals. With tariffs appearing and disappearing overnight, the cost of global sourcing and international supply chains has never been murkier.

Joining Mike to break it down:

• Jon Gold, VP of Supply Chain and Customs Policy, National Retail Federation
• Brandon Fried, Executive Director, The Airforwarders Association

• Key topics include:
  ✅ China tariffs and trade war updates
• ✅What impact the confusion is having on container shipping
  ✅S. import and export uncertainty
  ✅ Retailers’ response to supply chain disruption
  ✅ Impact of ending de minimis on air cargo
  ✅ Why electronics are exempt—but textiles aren’t
  ✅ The 90-day tariff pause (and what it doesn’t cover)
  ✅ Can reshoring really work for U.S. manufacturing?
• This is essential listening for logistics professionals, freight forwarders, importers, exporters, and anyone watching the U.S.–China trade relationship.

Subscribe for more expert insights into freight, trade, and supply chain strategy.
Also available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.

Supported by: Ontegos Cloud [https://www.ontegos.cloud/]

In this exclusive interview, The Freight Buyers’ Club host Mike King speaks to Aditi Rasquinha, CEO of DHL Global Forwarding Greater China, about the evolving dynamics of global trade and supply chains amid a spiralling US-China trade war.

From navigating the new US tariff regime to understanding China's automation advantage, Aditi shares how major shippers are rethinking resilience, rerouting freight, and managing geopolitical uncertainty.

She explains how demand patterns are shifting, where DHL is investing for growth, and why automation—not cheap labour—is now China's competitive edge.

They also discuss front-loading strategies by ocean and air, transpacific volume jitters, and why multi-shoring—not just China Plus One —is here to stay.

This is a sharp, insider look at the freight world’s most strategic market—what’s changing, what’s staying, and what’s next.

This episode was produced with the support of Ontegos Cloud (https://www.ontegos.cloud/).

This episode was produced with the support of Ontegos Cloud (https://www.ontegos.cloud/).

Note: Mike references his YouTube Trump tariff explainer in this podcast. This can be found here: https://youtu.be/cSuHi6BB4mg?si=eT_o_LNc3-UrhDOh

Title: TRUMP’S TRADE WAR EXPLAINED: Shipping & Logistics

#logistics #supplychain #freight #transportation #shipping #cargo #supplychainmanagement #logisticsmanagement #freightforwarding #tradewar #tariffs

With new Trump administration tariffs set to take effect on April 2, 2025—dubbed “Tariff Day” or even “Liberation Day” by some—businesses are bracing for impact. In this special episode of Freight Buyers Club, host Mike King speaks with Cindy Allen, CEO of Trade Force Multiplier and former U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) insider, about the evolving trade landscape. They break down the latest tariffs, their impact on supply chains, and what companies can do to prepare. From steel and aluminum duties to China’s retaliation and the complexities of enforcement, this is a must-listen for anyone navigating global trade.

This is an edited version of a longer interview with Cindy in EP37.

Produced with the support of Dimerco Express Group. Learn more at dimerco.com.

This two-part episode of The Freight Buyers’ Club Podcast, produced with the support of Dimerco Express Group, unpacks the biggest trade and freight disruptions of 2025, from new U.S. tariffs and de minimis rule changes to air cargo market challenges and supply chain resilience strategies.

In Part 1, host Mike King is joined by Greg Knowler (Senior Editor-Europe, Journal of Commerce) and Cindy Allen (CEO & Managing Director, Trade Force Multiplier) to analyse:

• Tariff Day or Liberation Day? What to expect from Trump’s April 2 tariff hikes and why they could be a game-changer for global trade.
• De minimis chaos and e-commerce disruption – How the failed rollout of new U.S. import rules in February created market turmoil, and whether regulators are ready this time.
• Container shipping market outlook – With the Red Sea crisis ongoing and rates fluctuating, what’s driving the latest spot rate trends?
• Trans-Atlantic frontloading and trade retaliation – How businesses are adapting to rising uncertainty, and why U.S.-Europe trade flows are shifting.
• U.S. Customs and policy implementation – Insights from Cindy Allen’s time at U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on how government agencies enforce trade policy.
• Freight procurement strategy – How BCOs can navigate unpredictable tariffs, shifting shipping costs, and regulatory uncertainty.

In Part 2, Mike sits down with Robert Van de Weg (CEO, ‘mas’ cargo airline) for an exclusive discussion on the air cargo market, including:

• The freighter and air cargo outlook for 2025 – Will demand and rates continue to soften, or are new disruptions ahead?
• How de minimis and tariff changes are impacting air cargo flows – What shippers and airlines must prepare for.
• Navigating a volatile freight market – Lessons from Robert’s leadership experience at KLM Cargo, Cargolux, Atlas Air, and ECS Group.
• Opportunities and risks for freighter operators in 2025 – How ‘mas’ is planning its fleet expansion amid uncertainty.
• The future of air cargo – What shippers, forwarders, and airlines must do to stay ahead in an unpredictable market.

Produced with the support of Dimerco Express Group. Learn more at dimerco.com.

Featuring

Cindy Allen, CEO and Managing Director, Trade Force Multiplier

Robert Van De Weg, CEO, ‘mas’ cargo airline

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor-Europe, Journal of Commerce

Mike King, Host and Producer, The Freight Buyers’ Club

Produced with the support of Dimerco Express Group. Learn more at dimerco.com.

Episode in more detail

Part 1 – Greg Knowler and Cindy Allen with Mike King

Chaos at London Heathrow airport (3.28)

Container shipping market outlook and disruptions (6.19)

Cindy Allen: U.S. tariffs, implications and confusion over duties (9.09)

Tariff retaliation vs U.S. (16.25)

Explained: U.S. de minimis regulations and implementation options (18.48)

Is the Trump administration working with CBP and other agencies (26.16)

Post-de minimis, who applies and collects duties? (29.08)

301 hearing and taxing U.S. port calls (33.22)

Liberation Day? Tariff Day? What to expect on 2 April (36.42)

Trans-Atlantic frontloading (39.46)

Global air cargo rates outlook and de minimis impact (40.40)

A new era for t...

In this episode of The Freight Buyers’ Club, host Mike King is joined by ocean freight executive Stephanie Loomis, who brings over 30 years of industry experience at major logistics providers including DHL, DB Schenker, Kuehne + Nagel, and Rhenus. Fresh from the TPM25 conference in Long Beach, Stephanie and Mike break down the key takeaways from the event and analyse the seismic shifts happening across the global container shipping industry.

They dive into the evolving liner alliance structures, exploring how MSC’s independent strategy, ONE’s excellence, and Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd’s Gemini Cooperation are reshaping service offerings. Stephanie also unpacks the pressure mounting on small and mid-sized shippers and forwarders, explaining why the days of smaller players securing rates comparable to BCOs may be over—and what SMEs must do to stay competitive.

The conversation moves to the outlook for transpacific freight negotiations, examining the impact of Red Sea disruptions, market softening, and spot rate volatility. With tariff uncertainty ever present, Stephanie provides crucial insights into how forwarders and importers should structure their contracts to balance MQCs, visibility, and spot market flexibility.

As policy changes threaten to drive up shipping costs, the discussion turns to President Trump’s US shipbuilding push, the controversial $1.5M per-port call fee set to be imposed on Chinese ships, and the geopolitical implications of China’s dominance in vessel construction.

More specifically, can the US realistically rebuild its maritime and manufacturing sectors, or will these policies backfire on American shippers and consumers?

Rounding off the episode, Stephanie and Mike explore the role of technology in driving efficiency across the supply chain, from digitalization to AI-driven logistics solutions. Tune in for a fast-paced, insight-packed discussion on what lies ahead for ocean freight buyers in 2025.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Takeaways from TPM25: What’s changing in container shipping?
• Carrier strategies: MSC, Maersk-Hapag, ONE’s primacy and the future of alliances
• The growing divide between large BCOs and SME freight buyers
• Transpacific rate negotiations: What importers need to know
• Tariff uncertainty and how forwarders are managing the risk
• US shipbuilding ambitions: Reality check or political posturing?
• How tech and AI are reshaping logistics and freight procurement

This episode is sponsored by Ontegos Cloud. Learn more at Ontegos Cloud.

Listen now on all major podcast platforms, YouTube, and http://www.thefreightbuyersclub.com.

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