Explosive tariff week sparks historic drop in U.S. container bookings

Posted on April 9, 2025   |  

Trump’s new wave of tariffs, including a 104% duty on Chinese goods, has officially taken effect, targeting over 60 countries with rates between 11% and 50%.

The China-specific tariffs were triggered after Beijing failed to withdraw its retaliatory tariffs on the U.S., missing Trump’s set deadline.

Container bookings into the U.S. dropped 67% over the past week, a sharp decline linked directly to the sudden tariff escalation.

Export bookings also fell 40%, reflecting broader disruption and market hesitation across global trade networks.

Shipping lines are reacting by blanking sailings to avoid losses in a volatile demand environment.

The Premier Alliance’s PN4 Pacific service, originally set to begin in May, has been suspended until further notice.

More carriers are expected to delay or cancel services in the coming days, echoing the early container market response to COVID-19.