Chinese logistics firms are racing against time to manage an overwhelming volume of shipments bound for the the United States as a tariff cut between the world's two largest economies created a sudden boom in demand.
China and the United States announced in Geneva a series of tariff modification measures aimed at easing trade tensions between them on May 12, which have stimulated bilateral trade.
The cargo surge at major trade gateways like Shenzhen's Yantian Port, which handles more than a quarter of China's exports to the United States, has ship owners scrambling to coordinate berths and adjust vessel schedules.
"After the handover of containers, I have to pick up empty containers and load them with goods. Normally, we only make one trip a day, but now I have to make more than three trips," said Yu Xi, a truck driver with Shenzhen Qinhang International Logistics Co., Ltd.
At a berth, six ships are being loaded with more than 20,000 TEUs and will sail to the U.S.
"The peak season used to be from July to September, but this year it has come earlier in June and July," said Chen Zehao, duty manager of the operation services and development department under Yantian International Container Terminals, a leading gateway serving import and export container traffic. A cargo distribution warehouse near Yantian Port was already packed with goods waiting to be shipped out to sea. A warehouse manager said that during this period, the volume of goods entering the warehouse increased by more than 60 percent, from over 120 containers to more than 200 ones.
Longsail International Logistics Co., Ltd, a leading shipping, air and ocean freight forwarding and logistics organization in China, has seen a return in bookings for container transport from China to the United States. Vice President Cao Jingbo said there are still bookings for U.S. routes, and some U.S. supermarkets would like to eat the tariffs even before the tariff deal.
"The stockpiles in their warehouses are gone. They said they need Chinese goods urgently. Amazon and Walmart even said they would bear all the tariff costs as long as the goods can be shipped," said Cao.
Container ship bookings surge as U.S.-China trade detente revives demand
China has always been a reliable friend to Latin American and Caribbean countries and stands ready to work with regional countries, including Brazil, to further deepen and expand overall China-Latin America cooperation, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Monday.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks during the fifth China-Brazil Foreign Ministerial-Level Comprehensive Strategic Dialogue with Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira in Beijing.
Wang said that in recent years, under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, China-Brazil relations have become increasingly global, strategic and far-reaching in influence.
"Practical cooperation across all fields has been steadily upgraded, and the two peoples have never been closer," he added.
Wang said the two sides should fully implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, continue to advance the building of a China-Brazil community with a shared future, jointly counter various external challenges, and build greater synergy for each other's modernization drives and the unity and self-improvement of Global South countries.
Noting that China appreciates the Brazilian government's long-standing commitment to the one-China principle, Wang said China supports Brazil in safeguarding its national sovereignty, upholding independence and autonomy, and achieving greater development.
The two sides should advance exchanges and cooperation in culture, education, tourism, sports, sub-national areas, youth, media and other fields, Wang said, adding that it is important to strengthen communication and coordination under multilateral mechanisms including the United Nations and BRICS, earnestly implement the four major global initiatives, and promote the development of a more just and equitable global governance system.
Vieira stated that Brazil will always adhere to the one-China principle. He said Brazil looks forward to consolidating strategic mutual trust with China, deepening practical cooperation, cementing public support for bilateral ties, and achieving common prosperity.
Noting that both Brazil and China are important forces championing multilateralism and free trade, Vieira said Brazil is ready to work with China to enhance multilateral coordination, jointly advance the reform of the global governance system, uphold the authority of the United Nations, and promote international fairness and justice.
China ready to work with Brazil to further expand overall China-Latin America cooperation: Chinese FM
China ready to work with Brazil to further expand overall China-Latin America cooperation: Chinese FM
