A leading German logistics company executive emphasized the continued growing significance of the Chinese market for the future, noting that the U.S. tariff policy adjustment will not affect his company's globalizing efforts.
Matthias Magnor, chief operating officer of the BLG, told CGTN in an interview that his company has expanded its partnerships with Chinese logistics firms, such as Shanghai Haitong International Automotive Terminal and China COSCO Shipping Corp., since last year. And BLG will move beyond reliance on U.S. trade.
"Last year, we signed a friendly agreement with Shanghai Haitong International Automotive Terminal. Since then, we have maintained very close business communication. Recently, we also signed an agreement with China COSCO Shipping Corp., Ltd., making them an important partner. They now regularly call at ports in Bremen. Therefore, we believe that having a 'multi-legged approach' is a good thing. We can no longer solely rely on trade with the U.S., and we have naturally recognized the importance of the Chinese market for the coming decades," said Magnor.
The BLG Logistics Group, headquartered in the port city of Bremen in northern Germany, currently operates over 100 sites worldwide, with over 10,000 employees. Its terminal in Bremen is Germany's largest automobile loading and unloading terminal.
Over the past two decades, many companies in Bremen have progressively expanded their footprint in the Chinese market, reinforcing their trade ties with China. The Chinese market's scale, potential, and business environment have become key sources of their confidence in strengthening cooperation with China, added Magnor.
German logistics firm BLG to deepen business ties with China despite US tariff policy changes
The Navy of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) said that the Strait of Hormuz has been blocked since Saturday evening and will not reopen until the United States lifts its naval blockade on the waterway.
In a statement carried by its official news outlet Sepah News, the IGRC said that the move came after the United States violated its commitments under the two-week ceasefire, which took effect on April 8, and failed to end its naval blockade against Iranian vessels and ports.
The IRGC Navy called on all vessels and their owners to follow official updates via its channel and VHF Channel 16, the international maritime distress, safety, and calling frequency. The statements by U.S. President Donald Trump hold no credibility in the strait and the Gulf, it added.
The IRGC warned that no vessel should move from its anchorage in the Gulf or the Gulf of Oman, and any approach to the strait would be deemed "cooperation with the enemy" and targeted accordingly.
Tehran's political leadership echoed the IRGC's firm position. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf asserted that the Strait of Hormuz is under Iran's control, revealing that during previous negotiations, Iran had firmly countered U.S. attempts to carry out minesweeping operations, which Tehran viewed as a ceasefire violation.
He said the situation had come close to conflict, but the U.S. had eventually backed off.
Calling the U.S. maritime blockade "reckless and ignorant," Ghalibaf warned that passage through the strait would certainly be restricted if Washington does not lift the blockade.
Underpinning these public announcements, Iran's Supreme National Security Council on Saturday affirmed the country's resolve to exercise control and supervision over traffic through the Strait of Hormuz until the war is definitively ended and lasting peace is achieved in the region.
For its part, the United States pressed ahead with its own military measures.
The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement on Saturday that the U.S. military is imposing a maritime blockade on ships entering and exiting Iranian ports and nearby coastal areas. Since the blockade began on April 13, 23 ships have complied with U.S. directions to turn around.
Meanwhile, the U.S. military is preparing in the coming days to board Iran-linked oil tankers and seize commercial ships in international waters, The Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday, citing U.S. officials.
The move will enable the U.S. to take control of Iran-linked vessels around the world, including ships carrying Iranian oil that are already sailing outside the Persian Gulf and those carrying arms that could support Tehran, the report said.
Iran's IRGC says Strait of Hormuz blocked, demands end to US naval blockade
