This week’s trade headlines are grabbing attention: the U.S. and China settled on a 90-day tariff reduction, offering temporary relief from months of escalating duty pressure.
Effective May 14th, tariffs on Chinese imports to the U.S. will drop from 145% to 30%. In return, China will reduce tariffs on American goods from 125% to 10%.
Markets responded quickly. The Dow surged over 1,000 points, with optimism spilling into the S&P 500 and Nasdaq. Headlines called it a breakthrough. But inside the logistics world, we know better: this is a pause, not a plan.
At Coppersmith Global Logistics, we’ve helped our clients through decades of trade shifts, and the takeaway here is clear—this isn’t a resolution, it’s an intermission. The reduced 30% U.S. tariff isn’t a rollback to pre-tariff levels. It’s simply a return to the previously layered structure: 20% under the fentanyl-enforcement banner, and 10% under broader ad valorem provisions. De minimis thresholds remain unchanged. Enforcement postures haven’t shifted.
This short-term window doesn’t offer enough stability for importers to lock in landed costs or plan confidently for the year’s second half. Meanwhile, blanked sailings and deferred production orders could converge into a late-summer wave of cargo volatility—potentially rivaling COVID-era congestion.
The real issue remains structural. Without a legislative framework or advance notice, trade policy that changes overnight keeps shippers guessing and disrupts supply chain planning across industries. Logistics providers like us can help navigate the turbulence, but long-term predictability will require action at the legislative level, not just executive orders.
Our advice? Use this 90-day window wisely. Watch bookings. Communicate with your suppliers. And talk to your elected representatives—because meaningful, sustainable trade policy shouldn’t swing on a whim.
If you need help reassessing landed costs, rerouting cargo, or building flexibility into next quarter’s supply chain, Coppersmith is ready to provide clear answers and trusted guidance. Reach out and let’s plan and prepare together.Â
