Trump win could disrupt International trade, Dutch logistics association warns

Donald Trump's recent election victory could lead to major disruptions in international trade and logistics, says Bart Jan Koopman, director of the Dutch trade association Evofenedex.

The U.S. has seen a decline in several industrial sectors, including iron and steel, automotive, chips, and machinery. Trump aims to restore American manufacturing and views the trade deficit as a pressing issue. To address the growing gap between imports and exports, he has proposed a blanket 10% import tariff on all goods entering the U.S., a measure that Koopman warns could seriously impact the global economy.

During his campaign, Trump also called for a 60% tariff on imports from China, which he has identified as a key economic and security threat. Such a move would change trade dynamics between the U.S. and China, with potential ripple effects across Europe. Evofenedex noted that high tariffs on Chinese products would likely disrupt global supply chains, particularly in industries dependent on Chinese components, such as automotive manufacturing.

Trump has consistently criticized large trade deals, favoring instead a system where each nation trading with the U.S. would face individual tariffs. While the European Union (EU) does not have a direct trade agreement with the U.S., a significant portion of EU exports currently enter under “most-favored-nation” (MFN) tariffs, which treat all trade partners equally. Evofenedex also noted that Dutch exports to the U.S., which include key sectors could face substantial cost increases under Trump’s tariff proposals.

The European Commission has indicated it may respond to any new U.S. tariffs with its own countermeasures. According to Evofenedex, these measures are essential to protect Dutch and EU trade interests. The association also noted that opportunities may exist for Dutch companies with U.S. operations, as Trump has proposed tax cuts and subsidies to stimulate domestic manufacturing, potentially benefiting firms that can align with U.S. industrial goals.