2025: Tariffs and the Impact on Trade for Retailers, Wholesalers and Services
DHL have just released their 2025 Trade Atlas, which analyses trade patterns for nearly 200 countries worldwide, and it couldn’t have come at a more poigniant moment. They describe the report as a “must-read for today’s decision-makers”.
At Tenant Leasing Group (TLG), we’re committed to helping our clients navigate the complexities of global markets and supply chains, by ensuring they can make informed property decisions that align with their broader commercial needs and objectives.
The bottom line in the report is that despite rising uncertainty around tariffs and trade agreements, international trade is still expected to grow faster than the previous decade from 2024 to 2029.
Nations-wise, trade from India, Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines is predicted to grow fastest – something all retailer, wholesalers and service providers should consider.
Regionally, South & Central Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and ASEAN nations are expected to lead trade volume growth with annual rates of 5-6 per cent
Despite discussions around nearshoring and reshoring, which may be particularly popular in certain corners of manufacturing and retail, the average distance for traded goods reached a record 5,000 km in 2024. This shift is attributed to increased trade between North America, Europe, and Asia, synonymous with increasingly global supply chains.
Another key insight from the report is that while the share of US imports directly from China is declining, overall US reliance on Chinese-made content remains significant, as goods imported from other countries containing Chinese inputs, and figures on direct imports from China may be suppressed.
Manufactured goods remain the dominant driver of global trade, while mineral fuels, electrical machinery, industrial equipment, and pharmaceuticals are the biggest recent growers in terms of trade value. Amazingly, the report shows that only 21 per cent of goods and services produced globally are traded internationally, demonstrating significant potential for future growth.
Read the full report here.
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