Port officials have observed a significant drop in transport activities at the Port of Los Angeles, which is now averaging about five ships daily—a nearly 50% decrease in job orders compared to normal operations.
Typically, in June, the Port of Los Angeles is quite busy, with around 12 ships daily unloading containers from Asia, facilitating swift movement of cargo across the country.
However, recently, the atmosphere has turned strangely quiet.
“We’re seeing an average of about five ships per day,” commented the executive director of the Port of Los Angeles, Jeanseroca.
He added that there has been almost a 50% drop in dockworker job openings.
This downturn isn’t just a brief occurrence; it’s part of a broader slowdown linked to the trade war initiated by President Trump’s policies. This shift is causing noticeable disruptions in West Coast port cities, including Los Angeles, Long Beach, Oakland, Seattle, and Tacoma.
While much focus regarding tariffs has been on rising prices and fluctuations in the stock market, the economic toll on these port cities hasn’t received the attention it deserves.
These ports are heavily dependent on trade with Asia, especially China.
Now, the inflow of goods has significantly slowed, impacted by higher tariffs and growing uncertainty in US-China relations.
Even though there was a recent ceasefire between the two nations, it hasn’t substantially changed this trend. Data from China shows a 35% drop in exports to the US in May compared to the previous year—the steepest decline since trade was frozen during the early Covid lockdowns.
This followed a 21% decrease in April. While China’s shipments to regions like Southeast Asia and Europe are increasing, it hasn’t been enough to counterbalance the lost freight to the US. China’s overall exports only rose by 4.8% last month—far below expectations.
The ramifications of China’s export slow down are affecting the wider Pacific region.
Long Beach, which partnered with Los Angeles, operates the largest port facility in the US, where around 60% of the trade is sourced from China.
In 2022, the port contributed approximately $300 billion to the Los Angeles County economy, generating about $93 billion in tax revenue.
One in five people in the region are connected to the port, and a significant number of dockworkers live nearby.
As fewer ships arrive, the effects are becoming more pronounced. Cargo volume at Auckland Port decreased by 15% in April. Los Angeles has already canceled 17 ships in May, with another 10 in June.
Newly released government data also highlights a nationwide decline in imports.
Long Beach’s Mayor Rex Richardson has expressed concerns about his city, home to about 450,000 residents, becoming increasingly vulnerable.
He worries that businesses tied to trade near the port may not be hiring as expected this summer.
“We need stability,” he emphasized, advocating for a clear long-term trade policy, which he doesn’t think should be controversial.
But the situation lacks certainty. Trump has recently alleged that China is breaching trade agreements and increased tariffs on steel and aluminum to up to 50%.
West Coast leaders like Celoka have noted a lack of engagement with the federal government. Despite serving on an advisory board for the US Trade Representative, he feels ignored by the Trump administration.
Instead, he frequently holds press conferences to raise awareness of the issue.
At a recent event, he stood alongside Tim Makosker, a member of the Los Angeles City Council, who remarked, “This is an unreasonable mistake. No one can explain why we are experiencing this.”
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has also criticized the tariffs, describing them as “a tax on individuals and their families.”
Celoka has warned that the repercussions extend beyond California.
As these ports play a crucial role in the economy, their struggles are felt quickly, leading to a ripple effect impacting stores, factories, and households nationwide.
“It seems that the fate of the harbors in Los Angeles and Long Beach reflects the broader direction of the US economy,” Celoka stated.
This situation is currently under review for comment from the White House.
