Lunar New Year is traditionally one of the first major stress points for global supply chains with factory shutdowns across Asia, front-loaded exports, and potential shifts in freight rates.

But in 2026, the signals are more nuanced. Is global supply chain demand stabilising — or beginning to soften? 

On Industry Insight, The Afternoon Update’s Lynlee Foo speaks with Andrew Coldrey, Vice President for Asia Pacific at C.H. Robinson, about what early 2026 freight patterns are revealing about global trade. They discuss softer retail demand and evolving inventory strategies, air freight dynamics including semiconductor and technology cargo, ocean capacity and carrier pricing decisions, manufacturing diversification across Southeast Asia, as well as the impact of tariffs and geopolitical uncertainty on global trade flows.

Listen for a measured look at how resilient global supply chains really are, and the indicators to watch in the months ahead.

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