DHL bets on Chinese exports despite war and tariff risks

Logistics giant DHL expects revenues to soar by 2030, driven largely by Chinese companies' global ambitions, even amid disruptions from the US-Israel war on Iran and unpredictable tariffs. Oscar de Bok, CEO of its global forwarding and freight business, highlighted China's crucial supply chain role in a Shanghai interview.

Global trade flows face severe disruption from the US-Israel war on Iran and unpredictable tariff policies. Yet logistics giant DHL, headquartered in Germany, still anticipates soaring revenues, largely thanks to Chinese companies' rising global ambitions. The firm has set a target to grow revenues 50 per cent by 2030 compared with 2023 levels, viewing medium-sized Chinese companies as a key customer base, said Oscar de Bok, CEO of its global forwarding and freight business, during a group interview in Shanghai on Tuesday. > “If you look at the overall global supply chain, China plays a crucial role,” de Bok said. “The flow from China to the rest of the world is still increasing.” China's outbound trade resilience underpins DHL's ambitious goals amid the Middle East crisis and shifting trade barriers, de Bok noted. The wave of Chinese firms expanding overseas offers huge growth potential for the multinational.

Mga Kaugnay na Artikulo

Illustration of China's record Q1 foreign trade growth, depicting a busy port with ships, cranes, and surging trade graphs.
Larawang ginawa ng AI

China's Q1 foreign trade up 15%, fastest in five years

Iniulat ng AI Larawang ginawa ng AI

China's foreign trade reached 11.84 trillion yuan ($1.63 trillion) in the first quarter of 2026, up 15% year on year, the fastest quarterly growth in nearly five years, officials from the General Administration of Customs announced on Tuesday. Exports totaled 6.85 trillion yuan, up 11.9%, while imports rose 19.6% to 4.99 trillion yuan. The figure marks the first time first-quarter trade has exceeded 11 trillion yuan.

The conflict in the Middle East is disrupting global logistics chains, risking longer delays for packages headed to French consumers. Tensions are particularly affecting air freight through hubs in Dubai, Doha, and Abu Dhabi. Fuel price increases are also being observed.

Iniulat ng AI

Analysts forecast accelerated growth for the global luxury sector in 2026, with China’s consumer spending rebound as a key driver despite challenges from a volatile property market and oil shocks from the war in Iran. HSBC, Deutsche Bank and BNP Paribas predict global sales growth of 5.5 to 6 per cent.

Hong Kong International Airport expects revenue to grow by up to 10% this year despite disruptions from the Iran conflict, its CEO Vivian Cheung Kar-fay said. She aims to position the facility as an alternative aviation hub to the Middle East. The airport anticipates welcoming about 70 million passengers, up from 61 million last year.

Iniulat ng AI

US importers have cut orders from Hong Kong firms and shifted to short-term contracts amid a global oil crisis triggered by war in the Middle East. Business leaders warn of eroding profit margins and strained liquidity, urging the government to bolster ties with Central Asia and Asean nations to diversify market risks. Executive Council member Jeffrey Lam Kin-fung said the situation will impact SMEs' cash flow.

Amid rising oil prices and risk-off sentiment from the Middle East war, analysts recommend sectors where firms have pricing power. Chinese companies in energy, petrochemicals, and agriculture stand to benefit from surging oil prices and easing deflation.

Iniulat ng AI

Conflict in the Middle East and global turbulence following US-Israeli strikes against Iran have prompted foreign investors to seek certainty in China. Speakers at the China Development Forum highlighted this trend.

 

 

 

Gumagamit ng cookies ang website na ito

Gumagamit kami ng cookies para sa analytics upang mapabuti ang aming site. Basahin ang aming patakaran sa privacy para sa higit pang impormasyon.
Tanggihan