Freight Volumes Drop 9.7% in Chinese Ports as Trade Tensions Rise

The trade war between the USA and China is clearly visible in Chinese harbors. The activity there has slowed down significantly at the beginning of April, reports the newspaper The Wall Street Journal, referring to fresh weekly figures. At the same time, the major bank UBS is lowering its China forecast.

» Published: April 15 2025

Freight Volumes Drop 9.7% in Chinese Ports as Trade Tensions Rise
Photo: Chinatopix/AP/TT

Freight handled in Chinese ports during the period of 7-13 April fell by 9.7 percent compared to the previous week to 244 million tons, according to the newspaper's information. The previous week saw a decline of 0.9 percent.

The past two weeks thus seem to mark a sharp end to a series of weeks with increased freight volumes in Chinese ports since the USA and China introduced tariffs on goods from each other at 145 and 125 percent, respectively.

Prices for container deliveries from China to the USA are also being pushed sharply downwards as demand for freight decreases, according to the Ningbo Container Freight Index.

The statistics come at the same time as the Swiss major bank UBS is lowering its growth forecast for China to 3.4 percent, from previously 4.0 percent. The new forecast is based on two-thirds of China's exports to the USA disappearing during the coming quarter and the value of China's deliveries of goods to the world decreasing by 10 percent this year.

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By TTTranslated and adapted by Sweden Herald
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