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Imposed tariffs by Trump cause decline in activity at Asia's busiest port, seeing a drop of around 30% in traffic flow.

Struggling trucker in California voices concerns: "Slowdown in work looming, how are we meant to carry on?"

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Trucking industry worker in California expresses concern: "Work is already decreasing, how can we...
Trucking industry worker in California expresses concern: "Work is already decreasing, how can we continue to exist?"

Imposed tariffs by Trump cause decline in activity at Asia's busiest port, seeing a drop of around 30% in traffic flow.

Heading south from LA along the ocean, the San Pedro port complex is tough to miss with its fleet of red cranes looming over the freeway. Industry hums as containers are moved from gargantuan ocean liners onto waiting trucks and trains. The combination of the ports in Long Beach and Los Angeles makes for the busiest port in the western hemisphere, handling about $300 billion of cargo each year, with 60% of it originating from China.

But these days, the hustle and bustle are significantly quieter than usual. Traffic has dropped by a third compared to last year due to President Trump's tariffs policy, freezing trade between the two countries.

Noel Hacegaba, the port of Long Beach's chief operating officer, predicts a 30% decrease in traffic for May alone. That results in fewer ships, containers, trucks, and jobs.

Helen Andrade, a lorry driver in the area, is all too familiar with the impact of fewer jobs. newly licensed and reliant on two incomes, she's struggling to make ends meet with reduced work. "I can't sleep at night, worrying about this," she confesses. "We're barely surviving, and we're already seeing work slowing down."

The ripple effect of the port's slowdown reaches every corner of the country, leading to shortages of various imported items, price hikes, and added uncertainty. Even local toy stores and party shops are feeling the brunt.

The trade talks between the US and China are imminent, but US trade secretary, Scott Bessent, faces mounting pressure to strike a deal swiftly to mitigate the economic fallout on American businesses like Helen's.

Enrichment Data:

  • China is the primary trading partner for the Port of Long Beach, accounting for around 60% of its imports.
  • In April 2025, the Port of Long Beach recorded its highest April ever, handling 867,493 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), but officials predict a sharp decline in imports for May due to tariffs.
  • California's agricultural exporters have also been affected by the trade war, as retaliatory tariffs on American goods have led to significant losses for farmers and producers.
  • Smaller importers face greater risks due to the high costs and uncertainty associated with tariffs, while only larger companies may currently afford importing.
  • The overall uncertainty caused by tariffs on various products (not just Chinese goods) is making it difficult for ports and businesses to adapt.
  1. The trade war between the US and China, partly induced by President Trump's tariffs policy, has significantly impacted the Port of Long Beach,With China being the primary trading partner, accounting for around 60% of its imports, the port is experiencing a drop in traffic by a third compared to last year, causing a decrease in ships, containers, trucks, and jobs.
  2. The economic fallout from the US-China trade talks is not only affecting large businesses like Helen's but also smaller importers who face greater risks due to the high costs and uncertainty associated with tariffs. Furthermore, the overall uncertainty caused by tariffs on various products is making it difficult for ports and businesses to adapt.

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