The trans-Atlantic air freight market is experiencing an unexpected surge in demand as the United States is about to impose new tariffs on imported goods on April 2. Carriers have been speeding up shipping, causing air fares to rise 8% in a short week to a high of nearly $5 per kilogram, a price that first appeared during the peak period of transportation before the Lunar New Year.

According to industry experts, at the beginning of March this year, shipments from Western Europe to the United States increased by 11% compared to the same period last year. The surge in shipments has been driven mainly by the auto industry, where companies are shipping early to avoid an upcoming 25% tariff on U.S. auto imports. The tariff, introduced after the US imposed a new 25% tariff on steel and aluminum products, has already had an impact on international trade.

Logistics operators warn that the market remains full of uncertainty due to the continued warming of trade frictions between the US and the EU. The EU plans to implement retaliatory tariffs on April 1, including a 25% tariff on American whiskey. The escalation of the trade war sparked market concerns about possible future increased tariffs on goods such as wine and spirits.

Currently, the market is also facing a shortage of cargo capacity, with an estimated reduction of approximately 2,000 tons of cargo capacity per week. Many airlines have moved cargo planes to the Asia-Pacific region in response to strong demand in the e-commerce market. As a result, trans-Atlantic freight traffic remains tight and air freight rates are expected to remain high in the short term.

However, with airlines planning to launch summer flight schedules on April 1, the market may be in for a breather. Cross-Atlantic passenger flights will increase, providing more space for cargo cabins, which may help ease transportation pressures and stabilize prices. However, traders remain cautious, believing that market volatility and geopolitical uncertainty will continue to affect transatlantic trade.

Faced with the impending tariffs, companies are vying for seconds to complete shipments ahead of the deadline, and the coming weeks will be a key period in the changing global trade landscape.

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