Citigroup: Trump's New Tariffs Expected to Prompt Early Shipments in Asia

Citi analysts stated in a report that the Trump administration's new 15% global tariff could once again trigger early shipments in Asia. These analysts expect that even if the U.S. average effective tariff rate drops slightly after the Supreme Court overturns tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, the decrease will be minimal. Citi said that while reciprocal tariffs in 2025 are often followed by a temporary trade truce that encourages early shipments, this new 15% tariff—implemented under alternative legal authority and set to expire in late July—could prompt importers to either delay or accelerate their imports. Citi maintains its buy ratings on Evergreen Marine, Yang Ming Marine Transport, and COSCO Shipping Holdings, reasoning that this is expected to have a net positive impact on container demand and potentially on spot rates, though the effect will be less than last year.

Editor: Wang Yongsheng