What Big Shippers Really Think: Retail & Tech Leaders on Tariffs and Trade

This is Episode 50 of The Freight Buyers’ Club, produced with the support of Dimerco Express Group. In this milestone episode, host Mike King is joined by three heavyweight shipper representatives to discuss how the world’s biggest retailers and technology companies are navigating today’s turbulent trade landscape. Ken O’Brien, President of Gemini Shippers Association, reveals how major transpacific freight buyers are handling container contracts and tariff uncertainty. Jess Dankert, VP Supply Chain at the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA), shares how America’s biggest retailers are managing inventory flows, holiday shipping, and front-loading strategies. Ed Brzytwa, VP International Trade at the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), unpacks the legal and policy battles over tariffs, Section 232, and de minimis trade, plus what potential refunds could mean for supply chains. Topics covered include: How shippers are balancing spot rates vs. long-term contracts in 2025 The impact of tariffs, transshipment rules, and trade wars on supply chain strategies Why retail and tech companies are rethinking their sourcing footprint The future of global container shipping supply and demand Whether you’re a BCO, forwarder, or just trying to make sense of the tariff-fuelled chaos in global trade, this episode offers rare insights directly from the people buying freight at scale. #FreightBuyersClub #OceanFreight #AirCargo #ContainerShipping #Tariffs #TradePolicy #SupplyChain #EcommerceLogistics #RetailSupplyChain #TechSupplyChain #TranspacificTrade #GlobalTrade #Logistics