Category: Retail

US and India Trade Deals Open Doors for UK Traders

Two landmark trade agreements with the US and India promise to reshape supply chain opportunities for UK importers and exporters. Both deals offer a mix of immediate tariff relief and long-term potential to diversify sourcing and boost exports. The newly signed UK-US agreement has reduced US t... Read more

US-China Tariff Pause Offers Fashion Breathing Space

Fashion brands and retailers around the world have welcomed a temporary easing of tensions between the US and China, but remain wary of the wider uncertainty still gripping global supply chains. A 90-day agreement announced on Monday May 12 will, from May 14, reduce US tariffs on Chinese goods... Read more

March Airfreight Surge Sets Stage for Further Growth as US-China Trade Tensions Ease

Airfreight markets posted a record performance in March, with particularly strong activity on Asia, US, Europe and UK trade lanes. The surge, driven by shippers front-loading cargo ahead of anticipated US tariffs, has provided a benchmark for what could follow in the months ahead as recent tariff... Read more

Trump’s Red Sea Gambit

A dramatic shift in the Red Sea shipping crisis may be underway following US President Donald Trump’s announcement that Houthi militants have agreed to halt their campaign against commercial vessels. His declaration has sparked hopes of restored freedom of navigation through one of the world... Read more

Blanked Sailings Amid Geopolitical Shifts

Global sea freight is navigating a complex landscape marked by geopolitical tensions, fluctuating demand, and strategic capacity adjustments and while a temporary US-China tariff truce offers a glimmer of hope, challenges persist across major trade lanes. In response to weakening demand, parti... Read more

India and Pakistan Impose Cargo Bans

The fragile balance of South Asia’s supply chain network has been thrown into disarray after India and Pakistan imposed tit-for-tat bans on each other’s cargo. The diplomatic standoff, triggered by recent violence in Kashmir and subsequent military exchanges, has sent shockwaves through oc... Read more

Northern Europe’s Ports Struggle with Congestion Amid Network Shifts

Ports across Northern Europe are grappling with rising congestion, causing widespread delays and operational disruption. A confluence of industrial action, infrastructure strain, inland transport bottlenecks and the rollout of new shipping alliances is overwhelming terminals, with no immediate re... Read more

UK De Minimis Rule Under Review

The UK government has announced plans to review the longstanding de minimis tax exemption for low-value imports, in a move that has been welcomed by major British retailers. The rule currently allows goods valued at £135 or less to enter the UK without incurring customs duties; a system criti... Read more

IMEC: Europe’s New Trade Bridge to India

Launched as a strategic counterweight to China’s Belt and Road Initiative, the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) is poised to reshape global trade flows between Europe, India, and beyond. Backed by a coalition of world powers including the US, EU, India, and key Middle Ea... Read more

New Tariffs and the End of De Minimis

On 2 April 2025, President Donald J. Trump announced sweeping new tariffs, targeting approximately 60 countries, with China singled out for the most severe action. In response to retaliatory tariffs from Beijing, the United States escalated its own duties, ultimately imposing a 125% tariff on all... Read more

Strategic Growth in India is Building a Platform for the Future

Over the past five years, Metro has significantly expanded its footprint in the Indian Subcontinent, creating a powerful dual-platform presence that continues to evolve as part of our wider global growth strategy. Today, India stands as one of our most dynamic regions and is set to house more ... Read more

Tariff turmoil threatens US importers as China trade takes a hit

After weeks of speculation, US President Donald Trump has sharply escalated tariffs on Chinese goods to 125%, while simultaneously offering a 90-day reprieve to other trading partners. The baseline tariff of 10% applies to imports from all countries other than China, including the EU. This rat... Read more