After weeks of uncertainty, the recent de-escalation in the US-China trade war has brought cautious optimism to global shipping markets.
In a dramatic shift from the earlier tone of escalating tariffs, both nations have agreed to a temporary truce, providing short-term stability for the China-to-US shipping corridor. However, the calm may be fleeting—tariffs still remain at historically high levels, and the terms of trade are scheduled for reassessment in just 90 days.
Indian dairy exporters and logistics stakeholders watching closely
This development is of particular interest to sectors reliant on robust global shipping operations, including the Indian dairy industry, which continues to expand its international footprint. While the temporary ceasefire has sparked a surge in container bookings from China to the US, US importers are scrambling to expedite cargo arrivals before potential tariff reinstatements.
Whether this results in manageable port activity or overwhelming bottlenecks on the US West Coast will unfold in the coming weeks. Stakeholders in India’s milk export and value-added dairy product markets are advised to monitor port operations, container availability, and freight rate trends closely.
“This reprieve gives exporters a window of opportunity. Indian dairy cooperatives and private players aiming at the US market must use this time to streamline their international logistics strategies,” says R. Iyer, a logistics analyst based in Mumbai.
With tariffs looming once again on the horizon, stakeholders must prepare for continued volatility. The next 90 days will be critical in shaping global trade flows—particularly for perishable commodities and time-sensitive shipments like dairy exports.
