Dimerco’s CEO Jeffrey Shih joins host Mike King in the latest episode of the Freight Buyers’ Club to explore how freight forwarders are advising customers in response to rising policy risks, shifting factory footprints, growing supply chain pressures, and market volatility. Drawing on decades of Asia-based logistics expertise, Mr. Shih shares how Dimerco is helping shippers plan smarter and adapt faster.
Turning Uncertainty into Actionable Strategy
Mr. Shih points out that the recent US-China tariff pause is being widely misunderstood. While headlines highlight short-term relief, “the underlying structural shifts in global trade are far from over,” he says. Dimerco has seen a surge in requests from customers seeking visibility on landed costs and tariff impact modeling.
Mr. Shih explains that customers are asking questions like: What’s my real cost exposure? Should I shift sourcing to Southeast Asia or Mexico? What compliance risks do I face if I do? Utilizing support tools like tariff calculators and scenario planning models are helping BCOs gain visibility and move forward with greater confidence.
He unpacks what the tariff truce actually means for BCOs, and why planning assumptions may need urgent revision.
Asia Remains Central But More Fragmented
While some sourcing is leaving China, Mr. Shih notes that “Asia remains the engine of global production,” though supply chains are becoming decentralized. Countries like Vietnam, India, and Thailand are seeing growth, but each presents unique compliance and infrastructure challenges.
“We’re not just talking about cost anymore,” Mr. Shih says. “Shippers want to understand resilience, transit time reliability, and regulatory risk.” Here’s a real-world look at how a factory relocation from China to Malaysia plays out, and why customs expertise is critical to making it work.
Freight Buyers are Rebalancing Air and Ocean
Mr. Shih also highlights the shifting modal landscape. “Ocean rates are rising quickly, and capacity remains tight on some lanes,” he explains. Air freight, once a fallback for urgent cargo, is now being used more strategically.
According to Mr. Shih, customers are diversifying contracts, securing space early, and exploring alternate routes inland and at origin to stay flexible.
The Logistics Partner Mindset is Changing
In today’s volatile environment, shippers are looking beyond transactional support. “They need a partner that can advise on trade compliance, cost forecasting, and sourcing strategy, not just move boxes,” says Mr. Shih.
“That’s where forwarders with strong regional presence and decision making agility stand out. It’s about understanding what’s changing and what that means for each specific customer’s goals,” he adds.
A Freight Forwarder’s View from the Frontline
This episode offers a rare glimpse into how a CEO on the frontlines of Asia’s freight economy is interpreting shifts in policy, customer behavior, and trade lanes.
For the full interview, listen to the Freight Buyers’ Club podcast on Spotify and don’t forget to subscribe for more insights from global logistics leaders.
Strengthen Your Supply Chain with Smarter Agility
As global trade policies and production landscapes continue to evolve, it’s more important than ever to align your logistics planning with real-time risk insights. Dimerco provides the freight capacity and local market expertise in Asia to help you plan with confidence.
Learn how leading shippers are embedding flexibility into their operations by exploring our Supply Chain Agility Ebook or connecting with a Dimerco specialist to start planning your next move.
