China now makes up a record 40% of all global container exports—and it’s a sign Trump’s tariffs meant to punish Chinese firms have fallen flat

China's share of global container exports has reached an all-time high of 40%, according to the latest figures, indicating that the Trump administration's tariffs designed to penalize Chinese companies are not having the intended effect. This surge in China's export dominance is a cause for concern, as it threatens the manufacturing jobs and economic stability that U.S. industries once enjoyed, reminiscent of the "China Shock" that began in the early 2000s.

Jens Eskelund, president of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China, warns that Europe could become increasingly dependent on China's goods, resulting in a growing trade imbalance. The U.S. is already experiencing a similar situation, with Chinese products flooding its markets for lower prices, potentially stifling domestic manufacturing and leading to job losses and stagnant wages.

Economists predict that this "China Shock 2.0" may extend to advanced technologies such as AI infrastructure and electric vehicles. Jeremi Suri, a professor at the University of Texas at Austin, emphasizes that China is becoming the "workshop of the world," with almost every global economy now dependent on China to some degree. However, some experts argue that the rise in China's container exports may not be a straightforward win against the tariffs.

Transshipments and diversification of trading partners, often used as coping strategies, could be explanations for the increased shipments, rather than a true increase in China's overall trade strength. While China has been preparing for this shift for decades, the tariffs imposed by the U.S. have accelerated the changes in trade dynamics, potentially weakening the credibility of the U.S. as a reliable trade partner.