In Los Angeles, Berlin, and Athens, the ocean shipping industry is feeling uncertain due to U.S. President Donald Trump's new tariff plan. This plan is escalating a trade war that is set to decrease transport demand and force companies to deal with the consequences.

The Trump administration is expected to announce reciprocal tariffs on Wednesday, targeting countries that impose duties on U.S. goods. This follows the imposition of new import levies on products from Mexico, China, and Canada, as well as on items like steel and automobiles.

Leading global container shipping companies such as MSC, Maersk, CMA CGM, and Hapag-Lloyd handle vast quantities of goods for U.S. retailers such as Walmart, Target, and Home Depot. These companies play a significant role in the ocean shipping industry, which accounts for about 80% of global trade, but they are now facing challenges due to Trump's fluctuating tariffs.

The uncertainty surrounding tariffs has created confusion and challenges for companies trying to adapt to these changes. Importers are struggling to predict their duty costs due to the unpredictable nature of Trump's tariff decisions. Some companies are resorting to expensive air shipping to transport goods that would typically go by sea to preempt potential tariff increases.

U.S. container imports have surged in recent months as companies rush to bring in goods from China to avoid tariffs. This has led to increased demand for various modes of transportation and rising shipping rates. The average rate to ship a 40-foot container from the Far East to the U.S. West Coast has seen a significant one-day increase, reflecting the impact of current trade dynamics on the industry.