Supply Chain Research

The first signs of a slowdown in U.S. trade may have emerged in March. U.S. seaborne imports fell 0.2% on a year earlier in March, the first decline in over a year, Panjiva data shows. Aside from a 26% slump in shipments from Taiwan, the lack of growth can be be explained by the lunar new year seasonality with imports from China fell 2%. Meanwhile growth in most product groups was lackluster. Two outliers were apparel and machinery/electronics which both fell 2%. That may reflect expectations of slowing demand. While both the ISM and Conference Board indicators remain in firmly positive ...