Frequent US-China Interactions: Logistics Industry Seeks New Direction Amid Policy Ripples

A new US regulation on marine life protection is set to alter the logistics routes for Vietnam's seafood exports, while key trade data soon to be released by China's General Administration of Customs is tightening the nerves of the global freight forwarding market.

In recent weeks, trade policy interactions between the US and China have shown a new high-frequency rhythm. The US Marine Mammal Protection Act took effect on January 1st. This measure, ostensibly environmental, essentially constitutes a new non-tariff barrier for seafood exports from countries like Vietnam.

Simultaneously, China's General Administration of Customs plans to release trade data for December 2025 and the full year on January 14th. This report will serve as a crucial benchmark for assessing the current state of US-China trade interactions.

01 Escalating Trade Barriers: From Tariffs to Technical Regulations

The implementation of the US Marine Mammal Protection Act signals that trade protectionist measures are extending into more concealed, technical areas. As one of the world's major seafood exporters, Vietnam's industry faces urgent adaptation pressure to avoid being shut out of the US market.

This change is not an isolated incident but a microcosm of the increasing complexity of US-China trade dynamics. Analysis from the Peterson Institute for International Economics indicates that US protectionism and Chinese mercantilism form a self-reinforcing vicious cycle.

The US 301 investigation targeting China's maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors, along with its proposed port fee policies, is having a profound impact on the global shipping cost structure.

The compounding effect of these policies is directly accelerating the shift of Chinese manufacturing to Southeast Asia, leading to a profound reshaping of the international logistics landscape.

02 Data Expectations: Capturing Signals of Resilience in Chinese Foreign Trade

Against the backdrop of a complex and volatile policy environment, the upcoming Chinese trade data holds particular significance. The market is widely focused on whether Chinese exports have maintained their resilience following the US-China tariff maneuvering.

According to research from Caitong Securities, despite heightened US-China trade frictions in 2025, China's cumulative export value for the first 10 months still grew by 5.3% year-on-year, remaining largely flat compared to the same period last year. This data exceeded market expectations, reflecting the adaptive capacity of China's foreign trade and the diversified adjustments within the international trade landscape.

China's exports to non-US markets like ASEAN, Africa, and Latin America expanded against the trend, effectively offsetting the decline in exports to the US.

The December data to be released will reveal the actual situation of the year-end foreign trade sprint, providing critical reference for the international logistics industry's capacity allocation and route planning for the new year.

03 Logistics Opportunities: Charting New Routes Under New Rules

While frequent US-China policy interactions bring uncertainty, they also create new opportunities for astute logistics companies. The adjustments Vietnam's seafood industry must make to comply with the new US regulations will generate fresh demand for cold chain logistics and compliance consulting services.

From a broader perspective, adjustments in the globalization of manufacturing layouts are fostering new logistics corridors. Logistics experts point out that "China+1" has become a core strategy for corporate supply chain planning.

Vietnam's electronics manufacturing sector performed notably well in 2025, with production lines around Hanoi operating at full capacity and flights fully booked—a practical sign of companies seeking alternatives outside China.

As corporate procurement strategies shift towards diversified markets like Vietnam, India, and Mexico, the international logistics routes connecting these emerging manufacturing hubs with consumer markets in Europe and America are entering a period of rapid growth.

04 Dual Challenges: Compliance Complexity and Cost Volatility

Frequent policy interactions also mean logistics companies face more complex compliance environments and cost fluctuation risks. The US Marine Mammal Protection Act is just one example among many technical trade barriers.

The series of port fee policies proposed under the 301 investigation targeting Chinese shipping, if fully implemented, could push global freight rates up by 20%. These costs will likely be passed on to shippers through new surcharges.

Simultaneously, different national markets have their own legal requirements and logistics challenges, forcing companies to redesign entire transportation and compliance strategies. For small and medium-sized international logisticsenterprises, the costs of adapting to changing customs rules, technical standards, and environmental requirements across multiple countries are increasing.

In this environment of heightened uncertainty, Shanghai Wenaili advises logistics companies to adopt agility and resourcefulness as core strategies. By establishing professional regulatory tracking mechanisms and diversified service networks, these challenges can be transformed into opportunities to enhance professional capabilities and service value.

As the ripples of US-China trade policies extend to every link in the global supply chain—from seafood processing plants in Vietnam to data statistics offices in China—international logistics companies stand at the forefront of observing this great-power interaction.

Policy changes bring not only restrictions but also opportunities to reshape logistics networks, innovate service models, and enhance professional value. For logistics companies that can quickly interpret policy signals, flexibly adjust route layouts, and provide clients with compliance solutions, the current challenges represent the optimal moment to build a core enterprise advantage.

Ultimately, amidst the ongoing evolution of the international trade landscape, only those enterprises capable of transforming uncertainty into reliable service and complex rules into simplified solutions will find their stable course amid frequent policy interactions.