Following the implementation of a 145% tariff on imported goods from China by United States President Trump, the first batch of affected goods has arrived at the port of Los Angeles in California. The shipping volume has decreased by over 50% compared to the same period last year, leading to a noticeable slowdown in port activities.
Gene Seroka, the Executive Director of the Port of Los Angeles, revealed in an interview with CNN on Tuesday, May 6, that since the high tariffs imposed by Trump, the volume of Chinese imported goods shipped to the port has dropped by more than 50%.
He stated, “Just this week, our shipping volume has decreased by approximately 35% compared to the same period last year. The cargo ships currently arriving at the port are the first batch carrying goods affected by last month’s tariffs imposed on China and other regions.”
Seroka disclosed that many importers have canceled previous orders due to U.S. businesses being unwilling to pay the high tariffs, which may result in Chinese goods becoming more expensive than before.
Originally, the Port of Los Angeles had expected 80 ships to arrive in May, but currently, 20% of them have been canceled. Customers have also canceled 13 cargo shipments scheduled for June.
According to data from the Chinese customs, China’s total exports to the United States exceeded $500 billion in 2024, accounting for 16.4% of China’s total exports.
Ryan Petersen, CEO of the logistics and freight brokerage company Flexport, stated that some retailers have chosen to store their products in warehouses in China because the costs are cheaper than paying tariffs. The shipping volume may continue to decline, with a potential decrease of up to 60%. “A 60% reduction in containers means a 60% reduction in the goods arriving,” he added.
Based on data from the National Retail Federation, it is anticipated that the volume of imports to the United States in the second half of 2025 will decrease by at least 20%, with a more significant decline in imports from China. JPMorgan Chase predicts that the volume of goods imported from China will decline by 75% to 80%.
Port activities in California have visibly slowed down. Mario Cordero, Executive Director of the Port of Long Beach, stated, “This is not just a West Coast issue. It will impact every port, whether on the East Coast or in the Gulf of Mexico.”
While the quantity of Chinese goods imported in the future is expected to significantly decrease, Seroka predicts that store shelves in America will not be completely empty. However, consumer choices may be reduced compared to the past.
Some economists anticipate that the surge in imports seen in March will continue for at least several weeks, as the final shipments en route when Trump announced the “Liberation Day” tariff will gradually arrive at the ports.