The US hide market showed little activity on Monday December 16, as Chinese buyers scaled back their purchasing interest over the weekend. The slowdown comes as the market approaches the holiday season, traditionally a quieter period for trade. Adding to the subdued atmosphere was the seasonal decline in the quality of available winter hides, which are typically less desirable to buyers.

Concerns over potential tariffs on Chinese goods, expected to be imposed as part of the lingering trade tensions from the Trump administration era, also cast a shadow over the market. Fastmarkets analysts suspect that these tariffs could significantly disrupt hide and leather trading, particularly with China being a major buyer of US hides.

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