US importers moved cargo early this year.
June imports jumped 8.2% y-o-y.
July still reached 2.5m TEU — the fourth-highest July on record.
But through the first seven months, US imports were 0.9% lower y-o-y.
Meanwhile, global container trade grew 5.2% in H1.
Two very different signals.
So how much demand was pulled forward?
And what happens when the US peak fades?
Here are 5️⃣ signals behind it:
1️⃣ Frontloading was real
US imports jumped 8.2% y-o-y in June.
Shippers moved cargo ahead of higher tariffs and transport costs.