March 7, 2025 - By : admin
The US Airforwarders Association (AfA) has warned that the sudden implementation of tariffs is creating uncertainty amongst its members.
A survey conducted by the association at its annual AirCargo 2025 conference revealed that 62% of AfA members are highly concerned about how the new wave of tariffs will affect their business operations.
AfA executive director Brandon Fried called for more warning to allow time for supply chains to prepare for the implementation and adapt to “the new international trade landscape”.
“We understand the political and economic reasoning behind the tariffs, but there must be stability to allow the logistics sector to plan and support U.S. businesses,” said Fried.
“Overnight changes, as in the case of the proposed 25% Colombian tariff, are damaging to the supply chain.”
Earlier this year, US president Donald Trump had threatened Colombia with 25% tariffs over a spat about deportees. An agreement was eventually reached.
“If reciprocal tariffs are put in place just as quickly, then a bilateral agreement may be harder to negotiate, and we risk placing ourselves in a position of import/export uncertainty.”
He added: “This could be trouble for the US economy, for the American consumer, and for airfreight forwarders’ businesses.”
On 4 March, the US applied 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico and a further 10% tariff on goods from China.
In response, Canada responded with 25% tariffs against $155bn of US goods – starting with tariffs on $30bn worth of goods immediately, and tariffs on the remaining $125bn on American products in 21 days’ time.
China retaliated with hikes to import duties of 10-15% covering $21bn worth of American agricultural and food products.
Mexico has also announced it will respond. Details are expected over the weekend.
By: Damian Brett
Source: Air Cargo News