Core Viewpoint - The shipping costs for containers from Shanghai to the U.S. West Coast have surged significantly due to a recent agreement between China and the U.S. to temporarily lower tariffs, leading to a rapid increase in shipping demand and tight supply in the container shipping market [1][2]. Group 1: Shipping Costs and Tariff Impact - On May 30, the shipping cost for a 40-foot container from Shanghai to the U.S. West Coast reached $5,172, a 58% increase from the previous week and 2.2 times higher than the level before the tariff agreement on May 9, which was $2,347 [1][2]. - The increase in shipping costs is attributed to a doubling of cargo volume shipped to the U.S. within three weeks, causing a supply-demand imbalance in the container shipping market [1][2]. - The shipping costs from Shanghai to Europe and South America have also risen, with a 21% increase to Europe and a 45% increase to South America, as shipping companies redirect vessels to these routes due to increased demand [3]. Group 2: Market Adjustments and Future Outlook - Container shipping companies are responding to the surge in demand by increasing the number of vessels and restoring some services, particularly on the U.S. West Coast, where the demand spike is more pronounced [2][3]. - Despite the increase in shipping capacity, the supply situation for the U.S. East Coast remains tight, indicating ongoing challenges in meeting demand [2]. - The future of container shipping rates will be influenced by the progress of negotiations between China and the U.S., with potential fluctuations depending on whether tariffs are further reduced or increased [3].