US-China Tariff Pause Offers Fashion Breathing Space
Fashion brands and retailers around the world have welcomed a temporary easing of tensions between the US and China, but remain wary of the wider uncertainty still gripping global supply chains.
A 90-day agreement announced on Monday May 12 will, from May 14, reduce US tariffs on Chinese goods...
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March Airfreight Surge Sets Stage for Further Growth as US-China Trade Tensions Ease
Airfreight markets posted a record performance in March, with particularly strong activity on Asia, US, Europe and UK trade lanes. The surge, driven by shippers front-loading cargo ahead of anticipated US tariffs, has provided a benchmark for what could follow in the months ahead as recent tariff...
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India and Pakistan Impose Cargo Bans
The fragile balance of South Asia’s supply chain network has been thrown into disarray after India and Pakistan imposed tit-for-tat bans on each other’s cargo.
The diplomatic standoff, triggered by recent violence in Kashmir and subsequent military exchanges, has sent shockwaves through oc...
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Transpacific Air and Sea Downturns amid Capacity Volatility
As demand falters on both sides of the transpacific, container and air freight flows are facing extreme volatility, with sharp drops in bookings and vessel space coinciding with sweeping tariff changes and regulatory disruptions.
The number of blanked sailings has surged, with the share of Asi...
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UK De Minimis Rule Under Review
The UK government has announced plans to review the longstanding de minimis tax exemption for low-value imports, in a move that has been welcomed by major British retailers.
The rule currently allows goods valued at £135 or less to enter the UK without incurring customs duties; a system criti...
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Tariff Tensions Drive Short-Term Freight Surges and Long-Term Uncertainty
Global freight markets remain under pressure as shifting US tariff policies continue to disrupt established trade patterns, prompting divergent responses across air and sea freight markets. While immediate demand surges have driven up short-term pricing, underlying market dynamics suggest a volat...
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New Tariffs and the End of De Minimis
On 2 April 2025, President Donald J. Trump announced sweeping new tariffs, targeting approximately 60 countries, with China singled out for the most severe action. In response to retaliatory tariffs from Beijing, the United States escalated its own duties, ultimately imposing a 125% tariff on all...
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Strategic Growth in India is Building a Platform for the Future
Over the past five years, Metro has significantly expanded its footprint in the Indian Subcontinent, creating a powerful dual-platform presence that continues to evolve as part of our wider global growth strategy.
Today, India stands as one of our most dynamic regions and is set to house more ...
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US Tariff Developments and Global Trade Reactions
Further to our recent update on the major changes to US tariffs (link), the global trade landscape remains highly fluid, with the situation evolving rapidly.
Last Wednesday, 2nd April, President Donald Trump announced a comprehensive tariff strategy, imposing a universal 10% tariff on all impo...
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Air Freight Market Review
The global air freight market in February and early March reflected moderate year-on-year (YoY) growth, with total worldwide tonnages up 5% in February and 2% higher YoY in early March.
However, market dynamics remain volatile, influenced by shifting trade policies, geopolitical factors, and e...
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Metro expands sustainability initiative for global sea and airfreight services
Metro is taking a bold step forward in its sustainability journey by expanding its environmentally conscious initiatives for global Sea freight and Airfreight services, effective April 1st, 2025.
As part of this commitment, Metro will introduce a groundbreaking transparency measure: the total ...
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US and India growth strategies
Recent senior executive visits to the United States and India reinforce Metro’s strategic partnerships, enhance trade opportunities and positioning the company for continued global growth in 2025.
With international trade facing shifting policies, evolving supply chain dynamics, and increasi...
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