East and West brace for Trump; Red Sea calms as rates ease
CEO’s Notes
As we step into the third week of January 2025, the global economic and logistics landscapes remain dynamic and unpredictable. From shifts in global trade policies to the rising influence of technology in logistics, geopolitics remains a driving force.
The world awaits the implications of President-elect Donald Trump’s tariff strategies, while persistent inflationary pressure in major economies cautions restraint in brewing trade wars.
- The dollar’s recent dive highlights uncertainty in U.S. trade policy as markets await clarity.
- Across Europe, inflation steadied in December, signaling potential economic volatility.
- China’s economy met its growth target but recorded its slowest growth rate in decades.
- In logistics, the three-year U.S. freight recession may be ending, but challenges like backlogs in Australia persist.
- Sustainability continues to advance with Amazon’s electric heavy goods vehicle investments and Scania’s electric freight route launch.
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Dollar dives as Trump team hints at delay to tariffs
The dollar took a dive on Monday after U.S. President-elect Donald Trump was quoted as saying he will not impose trade tariffs straight after his inauguration, which is set to take place later in the session… Read More
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French inflation holds steady in December as energy prices rebound
France's year-on-year inflation in December was up at 1.3%, according to INSE. This was in line with market expectations, as well as the same as November. It was also well below the European Central Bank (ECB)'s target of 2%… Read More
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China’s economy hits 5% growth target but rate among slowest in decades
China’s economy grew by 5% in 2024, in line with government targets but at the slowest rate since 1990 outside the Covid pandemic, according to official data… Read More
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UK Growth Disappoints in First Month After Reeves’ Budget
Britain’s economy narrowly returned to growth in November but fell short of expectations as the country struggles to shake off concerns that it’s in the grip of stagflation… Read More
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Economic News
- Europe's economy falters as Trump presidency looms
Despite the European Central Bank (ECB) cutting interest rates for the third time in a row on Thursday, saying that lowering inflation was "well on track," the outlook for growth is less rosy… Read More
- Israel-Hamas ceasefire takes effect in Gaza
A ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip has taken effect after a nearly three-hour delay, pausing a devastating 15-month war in the Palestinian enclave… Read More
领英推荐
- Hildebrand worries that global inflation is stubbornly sticky
The biggest threat to the world economy in the next year is the prospect that inflation turns out to be persistent, former Swiss central bank chief Philipp Hildebrand said… Read More
- Energy price surge risks pushing EU economy into stagflation
Natural gas and crude oil prices have surged recently amid rising demands and the US's wider sanctions on Russia. Elevated energy prices could jeopardize the eurozone's inflation outlook and push the regional economy into stagflation… Read More
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Industry News
- Baltic Index logs second straight weekly drop
The Baltic Exchange's dry bulk sea freight index hit a one-week low on Friday, marking a second straight weekly fall as rates across all segments weakened… Read More
- China eyes $60bn investment in Turkish rail upgrades for Europe-bound freight
China is exploring opportunities to invest in Turkey's railway network, with proposed upgrades estimated at $60 billion… Read More
- Strikes end, but delays continue at Australian ports
Australian freight forwarder International Cargo Express (ICE) has warned of backlogs at Australian ports affected by strikes against terminal operator Qube… Read More
- The 3-year US freight recession may finally be ending
Bank of America said in a note on Thursday that proprietary signals suggest the transportation industry is on the verge of entering a period of growth heading into 2025… Read More
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Technology and Sustainability Highlights
- EU freight movers get the green light to go digital
The digitization of project cargo movements across the EU will bring with it long-term cost savings for operators, after European policymakers formally adopted new electronic-based regulations… Read More
- Scania, SKF unveil electric freight route
Scania, SKF, and LOTS Group launched one of Europe’s longest routes for battery electric vehicles (BEVs), representing a milestone in sustainable logistics… Read More
- Amazon to commit over $1 billion to decarbonize transportation network across Europe
Amazon has announced its largest-ever purchase of electric heavy goods vehicles (eHGVs), ordering over 200 eActros 600 trucks from Mercedes-Benz Trucks… Read More
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Quote of the Week
"I think Donald Trump is very predictable. He does what he says. In this respect, I think we can expect a lot more clarity in the coming weeks and months. In this respect, this is also an opportunity for us to do the right thing."
— Friedrich Merz, Member of the German Bundestag