高盛：美国关税影响追踪器 - 高频趋势仍显示中国对美贸易流量疲软

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the transportation industry but discusses trends and potential impacts of tariffs on trade flows, indicating a cautious outlook for the sector. Core Insights - The ongoing trade tensions between the US and China are leading to a significant decline in freight flows from China to the US, with a reported drop of 22% year-over-year in laden container vessels [4][9][14]. - There is a bifurcation in trends, with concerns about product availability if the trade war continues, particularly as the second half of the year approaches [4]. - The report highlights the potential for a freight air pocket in the second quarter, which could affect inventory levels and order spikes in the second half of 2025 [5][8]. Summary by Sections Trade Flow Trends - Freight flows from China to the US have decreased by 22% year-over-year, with a sequential drop of approximately 21% in the most recent week [4][9]. - Expected TEU imports into the Port of Los Angeles are set to drop for a third consecutive week, although a sharp spike is anticipated in the following weeks, possibly indicating a shift in trade patterns [4][30]. Inventory and Demand - The Logistics Managers Index (LMI) indicates an expansion in inventory costs, suggesting that goods are not moving as expected, which could lead to empty shelves if the situation persists [4][57]. - There are two main questions being monitored: the potential for empty shelves and whether there will be a spike in orders in the second half of the year, which depends on consumer resilience and the severity of the freight air pocket [4][5]. Future Scenarios - The report outlines three potential scenarios for 2025: continued pull forward leading to inventory build followed by a sharp fall in demand, a stall in pull forward creating an air pocket for volumes, or a scenario where the economy does not fall into recession, leading to a surge in orders [8]. - UPS anticipates a decline of up to 25% in China to US business as the second quarter progresses, while trade from China to the rest of the world is expected to pick up some of the slack [5][8]. Container Rates and Shipping Activity - Ocean container rates from China to the US West Coast have increased by 3% week-over-week but are down 38% year-over-year, indicating a lack of recovery in shipping rates [27]. - Planned TEUs into the Port of Los Angeles have decreased by 32% year-over-year, with forecasts showing a potential increase as trade shifts from China to other regions [30][32].