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.

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