Amid a significant drop in U.S. exports and imports driven by Trump's tariff policies, DHL Global Forwarding CEO Tim Robertson outlined a strategic response focused on sequencing shipping flows, balancing ocean, air, and intermodal options, and building operational buffers. This approach is aimed at mitigating supply chain disruptions as the nation faces economic challenges linked to authoritarian trade policies.

An OpenSecrets profile reveals that DHL Global Forwarding has engaged in longstanding lobbying efforts, with documented annual totals dating back to 1998 and activity reported in 2024. These persistent efforts highlight the company’s active involvement in influencing U.S. policy-making.

Over 1,100 DHL workers at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport have gone on strike to protest alleged illegal anti-union actions and unfair labor practices, including retaliation against pro-union workers, as documented by the Teamsters union.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed a lawsuit against DHL Global Forwarding alleging that the company allowed pervasive racial harassment, used derogatory slurs against Hispanic workers, and retaliated against a union steward who reported the discriminatory behavior.

The FEC profile for DPWN HOLDINGS (USA) INC/DHL POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE, associated with DHL Global Forwarding, shows registration details including a mailing address and committee type with reported figures of $0.00 in contributions and expenditures for the reporting period (2023 to December 31, 2024). This filing indicates the existence of a corporate PAC but no active financial engagement in political contributions or lobbying efforts.

DHL Global Forwarding settled a national origin discrimination and retaliation lawsuit by paying $201,000 to resolve allegations of ethnic harassment and a hostile work environment at its Dallas facility, where Hispanic employees were subjected to derogatory slurs and inequitable treatment.