Part 9/11:
The freight price escalation paints a bleak picture. While costs for shipping a 20-foot container ranged from $3,000 to $5,000 pre-pandemic, recent reports indicate prices soaring to $35,000 or higher. Some publishers and manufacturers are considering raising prices to offset these increased costs, though consumer resistance remains uncertain.
There is cautious optimism that the disruptions might accelerate a migration back to U.S.-based manufacturing. Some industry insiders speculate that the current crisis could lead to a renaissance in American production, which could stabilize supply chains and mitigate future vulnerabilities. However, such shifts require significant investment and time, making immediate relief unlikely.