Overview

• The Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are experiencing sharp declines in cargo traffic, with a projected 35% drop in Los Angeles imports this week and a 20% decrease in Long Beach volumes for May.
• The Port of Seattle, for the first time since the pandemic, currently has no container ships at berth, a stark indicator of tariff-induced disruptions.
• China-based exporters have begun resuming shipments to the U.S., driven by fears of empty shelves and potential tariff relief following upcoming trade talks in Switzerland.
• Port officials warn of potential job losses among dockworkers, truck drivers, and warehouse staff as supply chain disruptions ripple through the economy.
• The removal of the de minimis exemption on May 2 and ongoing tariff uncertainty continue to exacerbate supply chain instability and economic strain.