Geri
Despite the tariff crisis between China and the US, the amount of cargo and containers transported in Chinese ports increased on an annual basis in the first four months of 2025. This circumstance revealed that the Chinese economy will show toughness.
According to the results of the Chinese Ministry of Transport data, the amount of cargo carried in Chinese ports in January-April 2025 was 5.75 billion tonnes and the container volume was 110 million TEU. Compared to the same period last year, it increased by 3.7 percent and the number of unit containers increased by 7.9 percent. In April 2025, the amount of cargo carried increased by 4.8 percent compared to the same period of last year. April 2025 was a period of heightened trade tensions between the two countries, with Beijing responding to US President Donald Trump's tariff pressures.
China's exports also rose 8.1 percent year-on-year in April. On 2 April, the Trump government announced additional tariffs on many countries, including China. China did not remain silent in the face of this circumstance and responded to the US and tensions between the two countries escalated. The US increased the tariffs imposed on China to 145 percent, and China announced a 125 percent tariff on US goods.
Subsequently, as a result of the negotiations held in Geneva, Switzerland, the parties mutually decided to lower tariffs for 90 days.
After the negotiations, as of 14 May, the US decided to lower the customs duty on Chinese goods from 145 percent to 30 percent for 90 days, while China decided to reduce the customs duty on US goods from 125 percent to 10 percent.
US President Donald Trump made a statement on 30 May, accusing China of violating the 90-day temporary agreement. He stated that he was planning a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the issue and that he wanted the meeting to end positively.
