Hapag-Lloyd says nearly a third of its shipments from China to the United States have been canceled amid growing uncertainty in the ongoing U.S.-China trade dispute. According to a company spokesperson, 30% of bookings have been scrapped, as customers shift their sourcing away from China.
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In response, the German container shipping giant has reported a sharp rise in demand from alternative manufacturing hubs like Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam—highlighting a broader regional realignment in global supply chains.
To adapt, Hapag-Lloyd is deploying smaller vessels on U.S.-bound routes from China while maintaining the same number of sailings, ensuring service continuity despite the drop in volume.
The shift comes as U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods have soared to 145%, while Beijing has retaliated with 125% duties on American products. The mounting tension is fueling fears of a prolonged trade war, with the International Monetary Fund warning of a slowdown in global economic output due to rising protectionism.
Still, President Trump signaled a possible thaw, saying he remains hopeful about reaching an agreement with China but reiterated that tougher measures could follow if talks stall.
