In a race against time, some European companies rush to export their goods to the United States, fearing a new increase in customs duties at the end of the current 90-day break.
Others had anticipated the entry into force of 10% surcharge and accelerated container shipments at the start of the year.
The exports of containers via the port of Antwerp to the United States increased by 3% in the first quarter, compared to the first quarter of 2024, according to a press release from the port of Bruges of Antwerp.
Looking at it more closely, two of the sectors most affected by the increase in American customs tasks have seen their exports to the United States.
In the first quarter, European steel exports by the Belgian port increased by 2% and vehicle exports by 1%, compared to the same period from last year.
Faced with unpredictable changes of course by the American president, European exporters seem to sail near the wind.
“Some companies anticipate these customs tasks and have decided to export their products before being imposed,” the port of Bruges d'Antvers, spokesperson.
“But if we generally look from the point of view of the port, if we look at all the different segments and categories, this impact is rather limited”, it is eligible.
Gateway to Europe
As a second European port after Rotterdam, Antwerp is one of the European gateways to and from the rest of the world.
The United States is its second largest trading partner after the United Kingdom, with nearly 28 million tonnes of goods exchanged last year.
At the Flemish port level, European exports to the United States include cars, machines, pharmaceutical products, chemicals, steel and food products.
Conversely, imports from the United States include plastics, chemicals, cars, food and pharmaceutical products.
Port management closely monitors future developments linked to customs tasks and geopolitical tensions, which could affect supply chains.
“For the moment, it is a little too early to say if the Chinese will use Europe as an export market instead of the United States, but it is certainly something that we are looking at and it is certainly a possibility. We have seen that it happens in the past,” explains Lennart Verstappen.
For its part, the World Trade Organization has reduced its prospects for world trade. It warns that the trade war between the United States and China is likely to slow down trade and long-term growth.
