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Global Trade & Economy
Tariffs to hit slowing U.S. economy hard in 2026, OECD says
The OECD projects slower but steadier U.S. and global growth, with momentumeasing into 2026. Rising tariffs—set to hit 19.5% by August—are expected tocool growth and lift inflation to 3%. The Fed is forecast to cut rates threemore times by early 2026 to offset tariff pressures and labor market weakness.
Trump to impose new tariffs on pharma, big trucks
Starting Oct. 1, President Trump will impose 100% tariffs on pharmaceuticals made outside the U.S., plus 50% on cabinets and vanities and 30% on upholstered furniture. Drugmakers oppose the move, warning it could hurt investment in U.S. manufacturing.
Global ports leader sees trade shifting, not slowing
DP World reported a 20% revenue rise to $11.2B in the first half and willinvest $2.5B in 2025 to expand ports in Dubai, Africa, India, and the U.K. Thecompany also highlighted shifting trade routes toward Africa and CIS nations,with new corridors through Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkmenistan.
Ocean, Air, Rail & Trucking
Ocean carriers cut capacity to arrest Golden Week rate slide
To counter falling spot rates, carriers are canceling more Golden Weeksailings, cutting 13–17% capacity on major Asia–U.S. and Asia–Europe routes. Rates have plunged, with Asia–U.S. West Coast down 20% to $1,400/FEU, bringingcarriers close to loss-making levels.
CSX restarts Baltimore tunnel service for double-stack in 2026
CSX has restarted service through Baltimore’s Howard Street Tunnel, removing a key chokepoint and putting double-stack service to/from Baltimore on track by Q2 next year. The nearly $500M project is expected to cut ~24 hours fromtransits and unlock 75k–125k new container opportunities across the I-95 corridor and Midwest.
Cargo theft surges in Q3 as criminals adopt new tactics
BSI Consulting’s Q3 2025 report shows global cargo theft rising, targetingfood/ag and electronics; hijackings are ~1/3 of incidents with hotspots inBrazil (30%), Mexico (17%), and India (11%). In North America, Mexico accounts for 75% of cases and truck hijackings 54%, as tactics evolve—staged wrecks, GPSjammers, fake police checkpoints—and U.S. “strategic theft” via fake carrier placards tied to cyber breaches.
FedEx to launch healthcare-focused DUB-IND air cargo route
FedEx will launch a Dublin–Indianapolis air cargo route this month focused onhealthcare and other high-value goods, cutting transit times by about one day. The move builds on CEIV Pharma certifications across FedEx hubs as it grows healthcare revenue and competes with DHL and UPS in temperature-controlled logistics.
Last Mile & Parcel Freight
German postal operator to resume US parcel shipping
DHL’s German postal unit has restarted shipments to the U.S. after disruptionscaused by new customs rules ending the $800 duty-free exemption. Businesses must now prepay duties through DHL’s delivered duty paid service, while a new Universal Postal Union tool helps operators handle fees and reporting.
UPS buyouts: Experts weigh impacts, risks
UPS is offering voluntary buyouts to full-time drivers and select ops managers as part of $3.5B in expense cuts; separations begin Aug. 31 (drivers) and Sept. 30 (managers). The Teamsters urge rejection, and experts caution that reliance on overtime and loss of veteran know-how could pressure service during peaks.
Businesses decry Canada Post strike as peak shipping season approaches
With a nationwide strike as peak season approaches, regular mail and parcel delivery is shut off, and businesses warn of major disruption—some shifting volume to private carriers and alternative pickup options.
Canadian government to end home delivery in Canada Post reform
Ottawa will phase out door-to-door mail over the next decade, shifting remaining addresses to community mailboxes to stabilize Canada Post’s finances; the move has sparked a nationwide strike that’s halted mail and parcels.Reforms may also trim delivery frequency and close some post offices, as losses mount.
DHL surges customs agent hiring as new tariffs confuse importers
DHL is adding 680+ Express specialists and boosting Global Forwarding’s clearance capacity 40% (200+ hires) to help shippers navigate tariffs and theend of de minimis (FTZ/bonded options, new filings). With China/HK-U.S. volumes~30% lower, Express sees only a 20–25% peak (vs 40–50%), is trimming U.S.routes, launching Vietnam/Taiwan charters, and rolling out digital/AI customs tools.
