Weekly Newsletter: Global Logistics Update

Updates from the global supply chain and logistics world | October 16, 2025

Talking Tariffs

U.S.-China Tariff Developments: In an October 10 Truth Social post, President Trump stated that he intends to impose a 100% tariff on China beginning November 1, “over and above any tariff that they are currently paying.” President Trump also indicated plans to impose export controls on critical software. These measures await official confirmation via executive order or Federal Register notice.

• Just two days after his initial post, President Trump appeared to soften his stance in a follow-up Truth Social post: “Don’t worry about China … Highly respected President Xi just had a bad moment.”

• At an October 15 news conference, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent suggested a potential extension of the 90-day U.S.-China tariff truce, which is set to expire on November 10. If President Trump proceeds with implementing a 100% tariff on China on November 1, however, the two nations will face a tighter timeline for reaching an agreement. According to Bessent, a deciding factor is whether China delays or scraps upcoming export controls on rare earth metals, which remain a long-standing point of contention in U.S.-China trade talks.

• It is currently unclear whether President Trump and President Xi will meet as planned at South Korea’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum at the end of October. While President Trump stated on October 10 that “there seems to be no reason” to proceed with the meeting, Bessent indicated a few days later that these plans are still in place.

• According to a recent U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) notice, the U.S. will impose a 100% duty on certain Chinese ship-to-shore cranes and cargo handling equipment on November 9.

  
  

U.S.-China Vessel Fee Developments: On October 14, the U.S. implemented port fees on Chinese-built and Chinese-operated vessels. On the same day, China implemented countermeasures on American vessels calling at Chinese ports.

• Chinese vessel owners and operators calling at a U.S. port now face a fee of $50 per net ton, while Chinese-built ships are subject to the greater of an $18 per net ton fee or a $120 per container fee. These fees will increase over time, in line with a set schedule. Check out our blogfor more, including scheduled fee increases and potential exemptions.

• Per USTR guidance, the burden is on the vessel operator—not U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)—to determine whether their vessel owes a fee. The USTR also indicated that vessels subject to fee modifications, including Liquified Gas Carriers and roll-on/roll-off vessels, may defer fee payments until December 10.

• Chinese countermeasures: Any vessel owned, operated, or built in the U.S. faces a fee of CN¥400 (~$56) per net ton when berthing at a Chinese port. These retaliatory fees are set to increase in line with the U.S.’s fee schedule.

  
  

• U.S. Government Shutdown Developments: The shutdown recently entered its third week. CBP has confirmed on trade calls that the flow of cargo and passengers continues as normal, and CBP’s budget and staff are unaffected by the shutdown. CBP has confirmed that it will not issue any refunds during the shutdown, including any ACH or check refunds, drawback claim payments, protests, post-summary corrections, or any other payment involving a check from the Treasury Department. For the latest shutdown impacts on CBP and other federal agencies, check out our blog.

  
  

Other Recent Updates:

• A series of new duties took effect on October 14: 10% on softwood timber and lumber, 25% on certain upholstered furniture (except for a 15% cap on the EU and Japan and a 10% cap on the U.K.), and 25% on certain kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities (except for a 15% cap on the EU and Japan and a 10% cap on the U.K.). On January 1, 2026, countries without a trade agreement in place with the U.S. will see cabinet and vanity tariffs increase to 50%, and upholstered furniture tariffs to 30%.

• On October 14, President Trump suggested potential new tariffs on Spain, citing its refusal to comply with the 5%-of-GDP defense spending target for NATO members. A day later, the European Commission indicated that the EU will “respond appropriately … to any measures taken against one or more of our member states.”

https://codex.cityglobal.earth/Global-Logistics-Update/