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The Freight Right TrueFreight Index (TFX) tracks global container shipping rates in real-time, ensuring accuracy through rigorous data validation and volume-weighted calculations. It aggregates pricing from logistics providers, filtering anomalies. Automated processes enhance objectivity, while ongoing reviews and audits ensure reliability, aligning with market trends and industry demands.
The biggest news of the week, and likely of the last 50 years since Nixon’s ending of the Bretton Woods system, is Trump’s Liberation Day reciprocal tariffs announcement. More below.
✅ Everyone is at a Standstill Since Wednesday: Importers, exporters, businesses, government and consumers across all nations have been in limbo since President Trump’s Liberation Day press conference last Wednesday when he announced a slate of reciprocal tariffs across all US trading partners. News continues to break daily about actions and considerations countries and companies are taking and in what capacity as the world begins negotiations with the US.
✅ Container Rates Continue To Raise to Start April: April’s container rates, CEA to USWC and CEA to USEC, as expected, continue to rise and move past March’s fire-sale prices. The pressure on container prices combined with the Trump administration’s reciprocal tariff announcement has thrown the global import and export markets into a tailspin.
✅ US Imports Continue To Slow: April is on track to continue the trend seen throughout March: US import activity is slowing down. New data from Vizion, a shipment API system, released data corroborating what we’re hearing from industry partners and executives. The article includes breakdowns of the total market of US bookings, sector-specific trends and product-specific trends.
Ben Thompson’s Stratechery: Trade, Tariffs, and Tech: https://stratechery.com/2025/trade-tariffs-and-tech/
Reuters: Trump says Japan sending team for talks, Japan urges him to rethink tariffs: https://www.reuters.com/world/japan/trump-says-japan-sending-team-talks-japan-urges-him-rethink-tariffs-2025-04-07/
WSJ: For This Frozen Fries Company, Trade Wars Are an Existential Crisis: https://www.wsj.com/economy/trade/for-this-frozen-fries-company-trade-wars-are-an-existential-crisis-d0e59357?mod=djemlogistics_h (non paywall link: https://archive.ph/YonA3 )
Since the announcement, we’ve done our best to gather the latest information from our customs and industry partners about:
Which countries and what commodities are affected by the Trump administration’s reciprocal tariffs,
Which, as of April 8th, commodities are exempt,
When tariffs will take place and for what countries and commodities
The executive orders and documents from government offices announcing who and what is affected and when
We’ve compiled all of these documents into a large summary we’ve begun to share out with our customers and partners here: Reciprocal Tariff Act Resources for Customs Brokers & Logistics Professionals: How To Navigate the Policy Changes
The Freight Right TrueFreight Index (TFX) is a benchmark designed to accurately reflect global container shipping rates by capturing real-time market fluctuations across carriers' spot, FAK, vessel and ratio rate data. Built on a foundation of transparency and data integrity, the index aggregates pricing information from multiple logistics providers, including freight forwarders and industry stakeholders.
To maintain accuracy, the index applies rigorous data validation techniques, filtering out anomalies and inconsistencies. It primarily relies on median spot rates for standard container shipments across key trade lanes. In cases of limited data availability, a structured methodology ensures completeness and reliability.
The index calculation follows a volume-weighted approach, where major trade routes with higher shipping activity exert greater influence on the final benchmark value. Automated processes eliminate bias, ensuring objectivity and consistency in rate determination.
Freight Right continuously enhances the index through regular reviews, quality control audits, and backtesting, ensuring it remains a reliable market indicator that aligns with industry trends and market demands.
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