Latest news with #US-bound
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Chinese exporters "on hold" despite US tariff relief
Chinese exporters in one of the world's busiest port cities spoke Thursday of murky horizons as they try to navigate the trade maelstrom unleashed by the ever-changing saga of US tariff policy. Suppliers in the eastern city of Ningbo -- home to the world's third biggest container port -- have had a wild ride since US President Donald Trump announced sweeping duties on nearly all trading partners in April. On Wednesday a federal court blocked most of the US tariffs, including ones imposed on China separately using emergency powers, but that news failed to give much solace. "Due to the Trump administration's appeal, there is uncertainty in tariff policy, so we remain cautious," said Han Zhongkai, an employee at a technology company that makes products like smartwatches. Exporters at a bustling cross-border trade fair in Ningbo who spoke to AFP said they were stuck in port -- both metaphorically as they surveyed an uncertain future, and in some cases quite literally. Following Trump's levies announcement in April, Beijing and Washington became enmeshed in a tit-for-tat escalation that saw tariffs soar into triple figures on each side. "(US clients) stopped ordering. Before this, many foreign customers had already sent their goods to our domestic warehouse and were ready to ship them out," said 28-year-old Li Jie, who works for shipping company Freight Service Limited. After the tariff increase, "they informed us that -- for the time being -- we should keep the goods in our warehouse". Hundreds of exporters selling everything from furniture to small electronic devices and baby toys jostled for attention in the expo hall, trying to capture potential clients' attention. The reciprocal tariffs have already been slashed for 90 days after a meeting between Chinese and US officials in Geneva in May, but uncertainty remains. "Orders from the United States have essentially been put on hold," said company owner Xiao Chuan, sitting at his booth displaying multicoloured LED neon signs in different languages. "One order was nearly ready to be placed, but may be delayed due to tariff concerns. Since the recent tariff policy adjustment, (clients) are adopting a wait-and-see approach -– unsure if further changes might occur." - 'Slapdash operation' - Faced with the unpredictability of the US market, many have looked to offload their wares elsewhere. Chinese exports to Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam surged by double digits in April, attributed to a re-routing of US-bound goods. "Southeast Asian countries have actually gained quite significantly. Many factories are gradually shifting their sourcing away from China, placing manufacturing orders in Southeast Asian nations instead," said Li. At a container depot near Ningbo's vast port, an employee who gave his surname as Huang said he thought manufacturers were on a mission to diversify. "The world doesn't revolve around America alone. We'll ultimately find alternative outlets to redirect these products," he told AFP. Hundreds of containers, including pink ones from Japanese company ONE, baby blue from Denmark's Maersk and maroon from South Korea's HMM, were neatly stacked on top of each other around him. However, daily order volumes had decreased recently, said Huang. "Although tariffs have now been lowered, uncertainty remains about potential future increases," he said. A spike in US-bound shipments when tariffs were slashed in May was just a blip, likely just backlogged orders and earlier negotiated deals. After a couple of days, "things levelled off". Xiao, the LED neon light vendor, said he thought new orders would come only when tariff policy stabilised. And so all eyes are on Washington's next move. Huang said he thought US-bound shipping would probably continue, but with "tighter profit margins and reduced volumes". "I don't find American credibility particularly trustworthy these days," he said. "Honestly, the US government often feels like some slapdash operation –- all over the place." bur-reb/tc
France 24
13 hours ago
- Business
- France 24
Chinese exporters "on hold" despite US tariff relief
Suppliers in the eastern city of Ningbo -- home to the world's third biggest container port -- have had a wild ride since US President Donald Trump announced sweeping duties on nearly all trading partners in April. On Wednesday a federal court blocked most of the US tariffs, including ones imposed on China separately using emergency powers, but that news failed to give much solace. "Due to the Trump administration's appeal, there is uncertainty in tariff policy, so we remain cautious," said Han Zhongkai, an employee at a technology company that makes products like smartwatches. Exporters at a bustling cross-border trade fair in Ningbo who spoke to AFP said they were stuck in port -- both metaphorically as they surveyed an uncertain future, and in some cases quite literally. Following Trump's levies announcement in April, Beijing and Washington became enmeshed in a tit-for-tat escalation that saw tariffs soar into triple figures on each side. "(US clients) stopped ordering. Before this, many foreign customers had already sent their goods to our domestic warehouse and were ready to ship them out," said 28-year-old Li Jie, who works for shipping company Freight Service Limited. After the tariff increase, "they informed us that -- for the time being -- we should keep the goods in our warehouse". Hundreds of exporters selling everything from furniture to small electronic devices and baby toys jostled for attention in the expo hall, trying to capture potential clients' attention. The reciprocal tariffs have already been slashed for 90 days after a meeting between Chinese and US officials in Geneva in May, but uncertainty remains. "Orders from the United States have essentially been put on hold," said company owner Xiao Chuan, sitting at his booth displaying multicoloured LED neon signs in different languages. "One order was nearly ready to be placed, but may be delayed due to tariff concerns. Since the recent tariff policy adjustment, (clients) are adopting a wait-and-see approach -– unsure if further changes might occur." 'Slapdash operation' Faced with the unpredictability of the US market, many have looked to offload their wares elsewhere. Chinese exports to Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam surged by double digits in April, attributed to a re-routing of US-bound goods. "Southeast Asian countries have actually gained quite significantly. Many factories are gradually shifting their sourcing away from China, placing manufacturing orders in Southeast Asian nations instead," said Li. At a container depot near Ningbo's vast port, an employee who gave his surname as Huang said he thought manufacturers were on a mission to diversify. "The world doesn't revolve around America alone. We'll ultimately find alternative outlets to redirect these products," he told AFP. Hundreds of containers, including pink ones from Japanese company ONE, baby blue from Denmark's Maersk and maroon from South Korea's HMM, were neatly stacked on top of each other around him. However, daily order volumes had decreased recently, said Huang. "Although tariffs have now been lowered, uncertainty remains about potential future increases," he said. A spike in US-bound shipments when tariffs were slashed in May was just a blip, likely just backlogged orders and earlier negotiated deals. After a couple of days, "things levelled off". Xiao, the LED neon light vendor, said he thought new orders would come only when tariff policy stabilised. And so all eyes are on Washington's next move. Huang said he thought US-bound shipping would probably continue, but with "tighter profit margins and reduced volumes". "I don't find American credibility particularly trustworthy these days," he said. "Honestly, the US government often feels like some slapdash operation –- all over the place." © 2025 AFP
Int'l Business Times
13 hours ago
- Business
- Int'l Business Times
Chinese Exporters "on Hold" Despite US Tariff Relief
Chinese exporters in one of the world's busiest port cities spoke Thursday of murky horizons as they try to navigate the trade maelstrom unleashed by the ever-changing saga of US tariff policy. Suppliers in the eastern city of Ningbo -- home to the world's third biggest container port -- have had a wild ride since US President Donald Trump announced sweeping duties on nearly all trading partners in April. On Wednesday a federal court blocked most of the US tariffs, including ones imposed on China separately using emergency powers, but that news failed to give much solace. "Due to the Trump administration's appeal, there is uncertainty in tariff policy, so we remain cautious," said Han Zhongkai, an employee at a technology company that makes products like smartwatches. Exporters at a bustling cross-border trade fair in Ningbo who spoke to AFP said they were stuck in port -- both metaphorically as they surveyed an uncertain future, and in some cases quite literally. Following Trump's levies announcement in April, Beijing and Washington became enmeshed in a tit-for-tat escalation that saw tariffs soar into triple figures on each side. "(US clients) stopped ordering. Before this, many foreign customers had already sent their goods to our domestic warehouse and were ready to ship them out," said 28-year-old Li Jie, who works for shipping company Freight Service Limited. After the tariff increase, "they informed us that -- for the time being -- we should keep the goods in our warehouse". Hundreds of exporters selling everything from furniture to small electronic devices and baby toys jostled for attention in the expo hall, trying to capture potential clients' attention. The reciprocal tariffs have already been slashed for 90 days after a meeting between Chinese and US officials in Geneva in May, but uncertainty remains. "Orders from the United States have essentially been put on hold," said company owner Xiao Chuan, sitting at his booth displaying multicoloured LED neon signs in different languages. "One order was nearly ready to be placed, but may be delayed due to tariff concerns. Since the recent tariff policy adjustment, (clients) are adopting a wait-and-see approach -- unsure if further changes might occur." Faced with the unpredictability of the US market, many have looked to offload their wares elsewhere. Chinese exports to Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam surged by double digits in April, attributed to a re-routing of US-bound goods. "Southeast Asian countries have actually gained quite significantly. Many factories are gradually shifting their sourcing away from China, placing manufacturing orders in Southeast Asian nations instead," said Li. At a container depot near Ningbo's vast port, an employee who gave his surname as Huang said he thought manufacturers were on a mission to diversify. "The world doesn't revolve around America alone. We'll ultimately find alternative outlets to redirect these products," he told AFP. Hundreds of containers, including pink ones from Japanese company ONE, baby blue from Denmark's Maersk and maroon from South Korea's HMM, were neatly stacked on top of each other around him. However, daily order volumes had decreased recently, said Huang. "Although tariffs have now been lowered, uncertainty remains about potential future increases," he said. A spike in US-bound shipments when tariffs were slashed in May was just a blip, likely just backlogged orders and earlier negotiated deals. After a couple of days, "things levelled off". Xiao, the LED neon light vendor, said he thought new orders would come only when tariff policy stabilised. And so all eyes are on Washington's next move. Huang said he thought US-bound shipping would probably continue, but with "tighter profit margins and reduced volumes". "I don't find American credibility particularly trustworthy these days," he said. "Honestly, the US government often feels like some slapdash operation -- all over the place." A cargo at the Port of Ningbo-Zhoushan in Ningbo, in China's eastern Zhejiang Province AFP Hundreds of exporters selling everything from furniture to small electronic devices and baby toys jostled for attention in the expo hall AFP Chinese exports to Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam surged by double digits in April, attributed to a re-routing of US-bound goods AFP
Egypt Independent
2 days ago
- Business
- Egypt Independent
Why Apple doesn't make iPhones in America – and probably won't
CNN — In 2011, then-President Barack Obama pressed Apple CEO Steve Jobs on what it would take to bring iPhone production to the United States, according to In 2011, then-President Barack Obama pressed Apple CEO Steve Jobs on what it would take to bring iPhone production to the United States, according to The New York Times Fourteen years later, President Donald Trump is resurfacing that question to current Apple CEO Tim Cook – and the stakes are a lot higher. Trump threatened a hefty 25 percent tariff against Apple and other smartphone companies unless they manufacture phones sold in the US stateside. 'I have long ago informed Tim Cook of Apple that I expect their iPhone's that will be sold in the United States of America will be manufactured and built in the United States, not India, or anyplace else,' Trump posted on Truth Social on Friday. 'If that is not the case, a Tariff of at least 25 percent must be paid by Apple to the U.S.' Earlier this month, Apple CEO Tim Cook said he expected the majority of US-bound iPhones to be shipped from India. Reviving US manufacturing has been a tentpole goal of Trump's presidency. Within the first three months of his second term, he went on a tariff blitz, promising to impose levies on nearly every product made abroad in an effort to boost jobs in the US and rebalance what he saw as unfair practices by America's trading partners. But experts who spoke with CNN said making iPhones in the United States would upend the way Apple builds its most lucrative product. Moving iPhone production to the US would mean shifting away from countries like China and India that have the highly specialized workforce and skills needed to produce the millions of iPhones that Apple ships each year. The result could mean price hikes or design changes for the iPhone, some analysts estimate. 'It just fundamentally doesn't work,' said Dipanjan Chatterjee, vice president and principal analyst at market research firm Forrester. Apple did not respond to CNN's request for comment on whether it plans to shift iPhone production to the US. China already has a sprawling system of plants tailored specifically for assembling electronics. Foxconn, Apple's longtime iPhone assembly partner, employs 900,000 people in its peak season, although it's unclear how much of that employment occurs in China and is related to iPhone work. Workers live in dormitories, making it easier to shift production plans with little notice, as Chatterjee points out. Production processes are highly specialized depending on the product; it's not a 'one size fits all' approach that's easy to replicate. 'The expertise to make each of the components is something that has to be worked on for a long period of time,' said David Marcotte, senior vice president at international market research company Kantar. There's also the question of whether there's enough demand for factory jobs in America. Manufacturing has been on the decline in the United States, with only 8 percent of American workers holding jobs in that sector as of earlier this year compared to roughly 26 percent in 1970, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, And a lot has changed since 1970. Carolyn Lee, executive director of the Manufacturing Institute, previously told CNN that 'the job has very much changed' and that modern manufacturing roles involve skills like coding and data analytics. Apple said in February that it plans to invest $500 billion in growing its US footprint over the next four years, which will go towards boosting its research and development efforts, opening a new facility to manufacture servers to support its Apple Intelligence software features and launching a Detroit academy to teach companies about smart manufacturing techniques and AI. Trump has declared this investment – along with a $100 billion commitment from Taiwan-based chipmaker TSMC to expand in the US – a political win and a step towards onshoring more tech production. But Apple's academy will be for small-to medium-sized businesses, according to Apple's press release, not training workers or building infrastructure to produce iPhones the way it is done in China or India. Cook has acknowledged the gap in labor required to produce iPhones in the US. Speaking at a Fortune Magazine event in 2017, he described the manufacturing environment in China as providing a combination of 'craftsman' skills, 'sophisticated robotics' and 'the computer science world.' 'That intersection, which is very rare to find anywhere, that kind of skill, which is very important for our business because of the precision and quality level that we like,' he said. Mohit Kumar, CEO and founder of smart ring maker Ultrahuman, has firsthand experience shifting production of a tech product to the US from India. Ultrahuman began producing its finger-worn health tracker in Texas in November after partnering with electronics manufacturer SVtronics. The smart ring company automated more tasks to avoid higher labor costs in the United States and hired workers that were trained in multiple steps of the process – such as casting and polishing rings – rather than just one of those steps, he told CNN. The topic came up in April, with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick telling CNBC that Cook said Apple needs 'robotic arms' to build iPhones in the United States at the same scale and precision as its facilities abroad. Patrick Moorhead, founder and CEO of analysis firm Moor Insights & Strategy, thinks Apple could feasibly shift some iPhone production to the US in five years. But that would involve automating some processes to account for the skill gap in America compared to China and India, he says. That could also involve changing the iPhone's design to accommodate more automation, such as changing how certain components are glued together. Many of Apple's suppliers are based in China, so transitioning to the US even just for assembly would mean shifting further away from critical components. Dan Ives, global head of technology research for Wedbush Securities, told CNN last month via email that an estimated 90 percent of the iPhone's production process takes place in China, although he says that number is closer to 40 percent now that Apple has shifted more production to India. He has also estimated that making iPhones in the United States could triple the price of the device. Apple is faced with a tough decision either way, says Forrester's Chatterjee, despite Cook's meeting with Trump last week and the $1 million donation he made to Trump's inauguration, according to Axios. 'Because neither can you realistically, from an economic standpoint, bring production to the US, nor is it really tenable in this climate to say, 'No, I won't do that,'' he said. 'So you've got to walk that fine line, that tightrope, for as long as you can.'
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Brown Rice Market Trends, Opportunities, Competition and Strategies to 2030: Ebro Foods, Cargill, and Olam International Lead the $13.94 Billion Industry
Brown Rice Market Dublin, May 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Brown Rice Market by Source, Application, Grain Length, Packaging Type, Distribution Channel - Global Forecast to 2030" report has been added to Brown Rice Market grew from USD 13.04 billion in 2024 to USD 13.94 billion in 2025. It is expected to continue growing at a CAGR of 6.63%, reaching USD 19.18 billion by 2030. The brown rice landscape is undergoing transformative shifts that reflect broader changes in consumer attitudes, supply chain transparency, and technological innovation. On the demand side, an acceleration in health and wellness trends has propelled brown rice into the mainstream, with nutritional research highlighting its benefits in preventing chronic diseases and supporting weight management. This has prompted foodservice operators and retailers to integrate brown rice into meal kits, bowls, and ready-to-eat offerings, catering to consumers who seek both convenience and the supply side, digital traceability solutions and blockchain-enabled platforms are being piloted to ensure provenance and quality assurance, addressing growing concerns over food fraud and adulteration. These initiatives not only bolster consumer confidence but also enhance operational efficiency by streamlining certification processes for organic and fair-trade standards. Simultaneously, automation and precision agriculture techniques are optimizing yield and reducing environmental footprints, as producers adopt drone-assisted planting and sensor-driven irrigation to conserve interplay of these trends is reshaping competitive dynamics, with traditional rice suppliers forging partnerships with tech innovators and logistics providers to deliver smarter, more responsive supply chains. As brown rice ascends from a specialty niche to a core portfolio item for many food companies, the market is poised for sustained expansion, driven by a confluence of health imperatives, digital advancement, and environmental the 2025 US Tariff LandscapeIn 2025, the imposition of new United States tariffs has introduced significant headwinds for brown rice exporters, altering global trade flows and price structures. Tariff hikes have primarily targeted bulk shipments of unprocessed grains, leading to a recalibration of sourcing strategies among major importers. As a result, distributors in the US have turned selectively toward alternative markets and diversified their supplier bases to mitigate cost pressures. This strategic pivot has intensified competition among exporting nations seeking to maintain market heightened import duties have also accelerated value-addition initiatives within exporting countries, encouraging processors to shift toward retail-packaged offerings that qualify for lower tariff brackets or preferential trade agreements. Consequently, the packaging type mix in US-bound shipments has shifted markedly toward vacuum-sealed and branded pouches, while bulk exports have declined. These adjustments have had a cascading effect on domestic milling operations, prompting investments in packaging infrastructure and quality control the tariff environment has triggered innovation in contract terms, with buyers and sellers negotiating cost-sharing mechanisms and hedging agreements to stabilize pricing. Forward-looking stakeholders are leveraging data analytics to forecast tariff impacts, optimize sourcing timelines, and identify tariff-advantaged commodity origins. As the market adapts to this new trade regime, strategic agility and supply chain resilience will be critical differentiators for companies seeking to solidify their positions in the US brown rice Regional Brown Rice VariationsRegional analysis underscores distinctive consumption patterns and growth drivers across the Americas, Europe Middle East and Africa, and Asia-Pacific economies. In the Americas, increasing consumer focus on heart-healthy diets has fueled demand for whole grain products, with brown rice emerging as a staple in wellness-oriented meal plans and convenience offerings. Meanwhile, manufacturers are enhancing traceability measures to meet stringent regulatory standards and cater to a growing preference for locally sourced Europe Middle East and Africa, the landscape is characterized by diverse culinary traditions and varying levels of market maturity. Western European markets show steady upticks in organic brown rice consumption, supported by extensive retail distribution networks and robust health advocacy. In contrast, emerging markets in the Middle East and Africa present both opportunities and challenges, as infrastructure constraints and price sensitivity limit widespread adoption, yet urbanization trends and rising disposable incomes signal long-term Asia-Pacific region remains the largest consumer base, driven by cultural affinity and established dietary habits. However, even within this region, there is a marked shift toward premium and value-added brown rice products, as urban consumers seek greater convenience and differentiated taste experiences. Investments in processing facilities and cold chain infrastructure are facilitating the export of high-grade products, while regional trade agreements are streamlining cross-border Top Performers in Brown RiceLeading industry players are capitalizing on vertical integration, technologically advanced milling operations, and strategic partnerships to strengthen their market positions. Top producers are investing in state-of-the-art cleaning and sorting equipment, ensuring consistency in grain quality and reducing post-harvest losses. These investments are complemented by partnerships with research institutions to develop high-yield and climate-resilient rice varieties, addressing both supply chain stability and sustainability the distribution front, key companies are diversifying channel strategies by forging direct-to-consumer e-commerce platforms and expanding relationships with multinational retail chains. Several firms have launched branded brown rice lines featuring traceable origin stories and eco-friendly packaging, tapping into consumer demand for transparency and environmental responsibility. Collaborations with foodservice brands have yielded innovative product formats, such as ready-to-heat brown rice bowls and meal kits, further broadening the scope of addition, some market leaders are pioneering blockchain pilots to track product journeys from paddy fields to plate, enhancing trust among wholesalers and end consumers. These initiatives not only reinforce quality credentials but also position brown rice suppliers as forward-thinking partners in the global food to Elevate Brown Rice LeadershipIndustry leaders should prioritize the integration of digital traceability systems to fortify supply chain transparency and foster consumer trust. By implementing blockchain or equivalent solutions, companies can provide verifiable records of organic certification and sustainable farming practices, differentiating their brown rice offerings in crowded retail environments. Concurrently, investing in advanced packaging technologies that extend shelf life and reduce plastic usage will address both logistical efficiencies and environmental must also refine their segmentation strategies by aligning product portfolios with evolving consumer preferences. This involves tailoring offerings to specific use cases, such as developing rice varieties optimized for brewing applications or crafting value-added meal solutions for food service channels. Cultivating partnerships with research institutions and technology providers will accelerate innovation in grain breeding and processing methods, ensuring product quality and cost proactive engagement with trade policy developments is critical. Firms should conduct regular scenario analyses to anticipate tariff shifts and negotiate flexible contract clauses that share risk with buyers. Exploring tariff-advantaged sourcing hubs and fostering multi-origin supply networks will mitigate exposure to geopolitical disruptions. Finally, a robust omnichannel distribution approach-blending e-commerce, specialty retail, and traditional grocery-will maximize market reach and Segmentation & CoverageThis research report categorizes to forecast the revenues and analyze trends in each of the following sub-segmentations: Source Conventional Organic Application Brewing Beer Rice Wine Feed Livestock Feed Poultry Feed Food Food Service Household Grain Length Long Grain Medium Grain Short Grain Packaging Type Bulk Retail Packaged Plastic Bags Pouches Vacuum Sealed Distribution Channel Convenience Stores Online Retailers Brand Website Marketplace Specialty Stores Health Food Stores Rice Mills Supermarkets & Hypermarkets This research report categorizes to forecast the revenues and analyze trends in each of the following sub-regions: Americas United States California Texas New York Florida Illinois Pennsylvania Ohio Canada Mexico Brazil Argentina Europe, Middle East & Africa United Kingdom Germany France Russia Italy Spain United Arab Emirates Saudi Arabia South Africa Denmark Netherlands Qatar Finland Sweden Nigeria Egypt Turkey Israel Norway Poland Switzerland Asia-Pacific China India Japan Australia South Korea Indonesia Thailand Philippines Malaysia Singapore Vietnam Taiwan This research report categorizes to delves into recent significant developments and analyze trends in each of the following companies: Ebro Foods, S.A. Cargill, Incorporated Olam International Limited Archer-Daniels-Midland Company LT Foods Limited Riceland Foods, Inc. Ricegrowers Limited Lundberg Family Farms, Inc. Koda Farms, Inc. Thomson International, Inc. Key Attributes Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 188 Forecast Period 2025-2030 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2025 $13.94 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2030 $19.18 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 6.6% Regions Covered Global For more information about this report visit About is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Attachment Brown Rice Market CONTACT: CONTACT: Laura Wood,Senior Press Manager press@ For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470 For U.S./ CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900Sign in to access your portfolio
