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yesterday

U.S. Ports Face Drastic Import Decline Following 145% Tariffs and Policy Uncertainty

West Coast ports report steep drops in container traffic, with Seattle seeing no ships at berth and Los Angeles facing a 35% decline in May volumes.

Stacked containers in the Port of Los Angeles, California, on May 6, 2025.
Shipping containers are stacked at the Port of Los Angeles, California, on May 6, 2025.
Shipping containters are seen at the Port of Authority Savannah in Savannah, Georgia, U.S. May 6, 2025. REUTERS/Alyssa Pointer/File Photo
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Overview

  • President Trump’s 145% tariffs on Chinese goods, imposed in April, have disrupted U.S. imports, with volumes surging in April before collapsing in May.
  • The expiration of the de minimis exemption on May 2 has further compounded the decline in import volumes, with its full impact still unfolding.
  • Seattle and Tacoma ports project a 40% drop in container arrivals, while Long Beach and Los Angeles have reported 70 canceled sailings combined through June.
  • Port officials warn of job losses for dockworkers, truck drivers, and warehouse staff, as well as potential consumer shortages and price increases in coming months.
  • Negotiations between the U.S. and China are set to begin this weekend, with hopes of resolving tariff disputes before peak shipping season.