LA Ports See Fewer Imports From China Due to Tariffs

Trade & Tariffs Impact - President Trump signaling potential new levies on Canada, India, and Mexico [1] - Uncertainty around tariffs has caused a "rollercoaster" year for trade, with importers initially slowing down and then surging when policies softened [2][3] - Retaliatory tariffs have negatively impacted US exports, as other countries make deals with normal trading partners [3] - The Supreme Court ruling on tariffs is a major factor in determining future stability and potential refunds [6] Shifting Trade Dynamics - China's share of imports to the Port of Los Angeles has decreased from 60% in 2018 to 40% currently, but overall volume has grown due to increased trade from Southeast Asia [4] - China is shifting from exporting products to exporting manufacturing expertise, investing in factories and supply chains in Southeast Asia [5] - China's exports to the rest of the world are up by double digits, indicating they are finding new customers in Europe, Africa, and Asia [17] - US exports are depressed due to tariffs, with other countries like Argentina and Brazil stepping in for soybeans, and Australia for almonds [18] Small Business Concerns - Small to midsize businesses (SMBs), representing over half of the 125,000 importers at the Port of Los Angeles, struggle to pass on increased tariff costs [9] - Removing the de minimis exemption has caused prices to skyrocket for small businesses importing small parcels from Asia, particularly China [12] - Toy importers face a squeeze on margins due to elevated tariffs, potentially impacting their ability to make payroll [14] Port of Los Angeles Performance - The Port of Los Angeles experienced its third-best performance on the container side in its history [3] - Anticipating approximately 800,000 container units for December, slightly off compared to elevated 2024 levels [15][16]