As 2025 approaches, U.S. shippers are bracing for a potential perfect storm in the global supply chain. With the threat of new tariffs from President-elect Donald Trump and a looming strike at East and Gulf Coast ports, uncertainty is reaching unprecedented levels.
The Double Whammy of Tariffs and Strikes
Shippers are facing a difficult decision: how to manage inventory with the anticipation of both tariffs and a possible strike that could disrupt port operations as early as mid-January. Trump’s proposed tariffs, ranging from 60% on Chinese imports to 10-20% on all other foreign goods, will likely increase prices and slow consumer spending. Meanwhile, the ongoing dispute over automation at U.S. ports could lead to another strike by the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA), halting operations and exacerbating delays.
Logistics companies like C.H. Robinson are advising clients to front-load freight in anticipation of both events. However, this strategy could be short-lived if suppliers can’t meet the demand, and the Lunar New Year in Asia could further complicate timing. As the supply chain braces for these disruptions, many companies are stockpiling inventory, fearing that the delays could last weeks, just like the backlog after the October strike.
With tariffs set to raise costs and strikes possibly crippling port operations, U.S. businesses face a turbulent road ahead, trying to navigate the storm of rising prices and supply chain chaos.
