Logistics companies fear the return of hard borders

© Feng Yu

Astronomic growth of cross-border e-commerce has catapulted the express sector to record revenues. But Donald Trump’s election and the growing protectionist sentiment presents a new challenge, writes The Economist.

Both FedEx and DHL are forecast for record revenues when they report their 2016 results next month, with UPS having already revealed booming growth in 2016.

However, much of this has been possible because of falling trade barriers, with many e-commerce customers ordering goods from overseas. So Mr Trump’s threats of increased tariffs, and UK PM Theresa May’s insistence that Britain will leave the European Union customs union have inflamed fears that the widespread years of favourable tailwinds are long gone.