Report says U.S. investigating Chinese shipping container makers

Anabelle Colaco
21 May 2026, 01:09 GMT+10

The United States is investigating whether Chinese companies deliberately reduced global production of shipping containers just before the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020, CBS reported
According to the report, several Chinese executives have been indicted, and the formal indictments were expected to be unsealed on May 19
The investigation is focused on a small group of Chinese companies that together control most of the world’s production of unrefrigerated shipping containers, CBS said

WASHINGTON, D.C.: The United States is investigating whether Chinese companies deliberately reduced global production of shipping containers just before the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020, CBS reported on May 19, citing sources familiar with the matter.

According to the report, several Chinese executives have been indicted, and the formal indictments were expected to be unsealed on May 19.

The investigation is focused on a small group of Chinese companies that together control most of the world's production of unrefrigerated shipping containers, CBS said.

Shipping containers are essential to global trade, and shortages during the pandemic contributed to supply chain disruptions and higher transportation costs worldwide.

Neither the U.S. Department of Justice nor the companies involved immediately commented on the report.

The investigation comes amid continued trade tensions between Washington and Beijing.

President Donald Trump visited China last week, but the trip produced no breakthroughs on trade issues between the world's two largest economies.

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Business Sun.

More Information

Financial Markets

Section

U.S. stocks surge, Dow Jones adds 645 points

NEW YORK, New York - U.S. and global stock markets closed on a mixed but largely positive note Wednesday, with U.S. indexes posting...

Report says U.S. investigating Chinese shipping container makers

WASHINGTON, D.C.: The United States is investigating whether Chinese companies deliberately reduced global production of shipping containers...

StanChart plans 7,000 job cuts, cites AI and automation drive

HONG KONG: Standard Chartered said on May 19 that it will eliminate more than 7,000 jobs over the next four years as the bank increases...

Nasdaq Composite slides 220 points as U.S. stocks shed ground

NEW YORK, New York - U.S. and global stock markets closed with a broad selloff on Tuesday, driven by heavy losses in technology shares...

Corporate costs from Iran conflict top $25 billion worldwide

LONDON/NEW YORK CITY: The war involving the United States, Israel and Iran has already cost companies around the world at least US$25...

NextEra-Dominion merger targets soaring AI-driven power demand

NEW YORK CITY, New York: NextEra Energy has agreed to acquire Dominion Energy in an all-stock deal valued at about US$66.8 billion,...

Technology

Section