The Word of the Day is Resilience

In this week’s Roar: More new tariffs, air cargo stabilized in May, how geopolitics is creating regional disruption, the impact of shifting global supply chains on ports, and the challenges of AI regulations for supply chains.

The Trump administration is proposing new 10% or more tariffs on imports from major US trading partners, citing failures to enforce bans on forced labor. This is targeting goods from countries including the EU, Canada, Mexico, and China. The goal is clearly to replace lost tariff revenue, and not surprisingly, immediate pushback is expected. This is just one part of a busy week for trade news. Brazil has become a key focus, with the U.S. proposing new tariffs tied to concerns over digital trade, intellectual property, market access, and other economic policies. Section 232 tariffs on steel, aluminum, and copper are being refined to encourage domestic and North American sourcing rather than simply increasing import costs. Trump issued a directive to the CBP to begin more stringent enforcement of rules related to Importer of Record. Lastly, the Department of Justice formally appealed the Court of International Trade’s order requiring CBP to refund $166 billion in IEEPA tariffs to all importers. A hearing is expected to begin June 9.

Global air cargo markets stabilized in late May 2026, ending with tonnage flat week on week and up 2% year over year. Average rates are holding about 35% higher than last year and are supported by tight capacity and high fuel costs. Capacity continues to rebuild slowly, but it remains especially limited in the Gulf region. The uncertainty caused by the conflict in Iran is further weighing on demand, with IATA predicting slow-to-moderate growth.

What’s pushing operational disruption in key maritime regions? Unsurprisingly, it is far-reaching geopolitical instability. There is a lot going on, and you may be more impacted than you realize. The Strait of Hormuz continues to face severe blockades, halting global energy flows. The Suez Canal sees frequent delays due to both security risks and climate events. The Malacca and Singapore Straits, both vital, remain vulnerable. The Black Sea is high-risk due to conflict. The English Channel has always handled dense traffic but is still dealing with post-Brexit challenges. The Panama Canal has to adjust to climate pressures, while the Strait of Gibraltar and the Northern Sea Route often face underestimated chokepoint risks. So what’s the answer? Resilience, flexibility, and contingency planning must be industry priorities.

Major U.S. container ports continue to deal with shifting global supply chains because, what else, geopolitics and elevated tariffs. The Port of Los Angeles saw April cargo volume rise 5.7% year-over-year, but volumes at Long Beach fell. Rising fuel and energy costs, supply chain disruptions, and cyber threats are pushing the ports to prioritize resilience, clean energy, and digital security.

AI regulation is becoming a challenge for supply chains, with a mixed bag of global regulatory rules driving up compliance costs and complexity. Rules like the EU AI Act are quite stringent and demand extensive documentation and oversight, while places like Singapore and the UAE are pro-innovation and encourage agility. Organizations that build adaptable, resilient technology architectures and integrate AI compliance infrastructure into their operational strategies will be the organizations that gain the competitive advantage.

For the rest of the week’s top shipping news, check out the article highlights below.