Radiant's Freight Market Update

This week: New tariffs announced on 14 countries; DOJ whistleblower program expands focus to customs fraud and tariff evasion; AD Ports and Zhejiang Seaport teaming up on automotive logistics.

Current Critical Industry Trends

President Trump announced new tariffs on 14 countries, including key manufacturing hubs like Japan, South Korea, and Malaysia. Tariffs are set to take effect August 1 unless new deals are reached. Businesses face ongoing uncertainty as they adjust sourcing and prepare for potential cost impacts.

DOJ whistleblower program expands its focus to customs fraud and tariff evasion. The Department of Justice rewards successful tips with a share of forfeitures, up to 30% of the first $100 million seized.

Ocean

Violence in the Red Sea has escalated with attacks on merchant vessels and Israeli strikes on Yemeni ports. Damage to key ports like Hodeidah and Saleef is disrupting shipping and endangering crews. The volatile situation poses risks for maritime traffic amid ongoing regional conflict.

Ports

AD Ports and Zhejiang Seaport are teaming up on automotive logistics. The agreement targets Ro-Ro terminal development, multimodal links via the Middle Corridor, and expanded vehicle exports across China, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean. Tech upgrades and green energy will support long-term growth and Belt and Road goals.

June brought a mixed outlook for U.S.-bound container imports. Volumes rose 1.8% from May but were down 3.5% year-over-year, signaling ongoing volatility. Imports from China declined sharply, continuing a trend driven by tariffs and shifting sourcing to Southeast Asia. Overall, total imports for the first half of 2025 are up, though growth is slowing.

International

President Trump’s trade deal will officially end the de minimis exemption. The exemption, which allows imports valued under $800 to enter the U.S. duty-free, will be removed on July 1, 2027. E-commerce giants like Temu and Shein will feel the biggest impact.

Trucking

The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association wants to see changes in new bill. President Trump’s "One Big Beautiful Bill" didn’t address the outdated ruling that excludes OOIDA members from overtime pay. The group says the antiquated rule only serves to devalue truckers’ time.

Truck driver shortage slows but remains a national outlier. Canada’s truck transportation job vacancies are down 23% year over year. Even with the drop, the sector’s labor tightness outpaces most industries.

Rail

Freight rail rolls into July with a strong performance. Total U.S. rail traffic topped 443,000 units in a short week. Intermodal demand and automotive shipments led the volume gains.

Air

Air cargo rebound lifts Hong Kong to the top for another year. HKG’s expansion and three-runway operation drive a 14% volume increase. Shanghai climbs to second while U.S. hub Memphis slips to third.

Technology

Smarter routes beat smarter trucks in today’s logistics landscape. Driver coaching, fleet tracking, and fuel-saving tools lead the tech stack. Logistics teams are choosing reliable gains over experimental automation.

Intelligent tech accelerates port efficiency as automation spreads fast. AI, machine learning, and predictive control power the next wave of growth. Chinese ports are shaping future benchmarks for the global shipping sector.

Other

Survey data exposes deeper gender divide across maritime industry. Progress is patchy and unequal across regions and sub-sectors. Experts stress the need to elevate more women into boardroom influence.

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The Radiant Network's supply chain and logistics updates provide valuable insights on freight trends, customs regulations, global news, economics, tech, and more. The Radiant Network includes the brands Radiant World Trade Services, Radiant Global Logistics, Radiant Canada, Radiant Road & Rail, Adcom, Airgroup, SBA, and Distribution By Air.

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Radiant World Trade Services is a part of Radiant Logistics, Inc. (NYSE American: RLGT), a publicly traded third-party logistics company that provides technology-enabled global transportation and value-added logistics solutions to a diverse account base. They offer comprehensive services including freight forwarding, truck and rail brokerage, warehouse and distribution, customs brokerage, order fulfillment, inventory management, and technology services. Radiant has an extensive network of offices throughout North America and other key markets worldwide.