Wall Street Warning: "Empty Shelves in US Stores Next Month Due to Tariff Impact"

Asset Management Firm Apollo Analyzes Impact of 145% Tariff on China

Due to the tariff policy of the US Donald Trump administration, there is a warning that American consumers may see empty shelves in retail stores as early as next month.

Apollo Global Management, a major US asset management firm (hereafter referred to as Apollo), recently warned in a presentation to investors about the impact of the tariff policy, stating that "the result will lead to empty shelves in US stores and a shortage of goods similar to the pandemic within weeks," CNBC reported on the 28th (local time).

Apollo introduced a timetable of the real economic impact of tariffs on China, warning that the tariff shock will affect not only consumers but also companies using Chinese products as intermediate goods.

Since the US government imposed a 145% tariff on Chinese imports, bookings for containers from China to the US have sharply decreased.

Based on the time it takes to transport Chinese imports, Apollo predicted that container ships carrying Chinese products would stop arriving at US ports in early to mid-May.

From mid to late May, as truck transportation demand stops, store shelves will become empty, store sales will decline, and layoffs in the transportation and retail industries are expected from late May to early June.

Apollo's analysis suggests that a recession will begin this summer.

Apollo explained that the sharp decline in new orders, performance forecasts, and capital expenditure plans of companies in recent weeks supports the possibility of the US entering a recession.

Eunji Cha, Hankyung.com reporter chachacha@hankyung.com