The Airforwarders Association (AfA) has urged caution over tariff policies during its annual conference, AirCargo 2025, as the US introduces a series of new trade measures targeting Canada, Mexico, and China.

The surge of proposed tariffs has sparked concern within the air logistics sector, raising fears that these changes could disrupt US businesses while the industry navigates an evolving global trade environment.

Brandon Fried, executive director of AfA, said: “We understand the political and economic reasoning behind the tariffs, but there must be stability to allow the logistics sector to plan and support U.S. businesses.

“Overnight changes, as in the case of the proposed 25 per cent Colombian tariff, are damaging to the supply chain. If reciprocal tariffs are put in place just as quickly, then a bilateral agreement may be harder to negotiate, and we risk placing ourselves in a position of import/export uncertainty.”

A survey conducted during the meeting found that 62% of AfA members are deeply concerned about the impact of these tariff changes on their business operations.

Fried added: “This could be trouble for the US economy, for the American consumer, and for air freight forwarders’ businesses.”

Since its founding in 1991, AfA has been a key advocate for the North American logistics and supply chain industry in the US.

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