With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
Port of L.A. officials worry the return of high tariffs next week could weaken regional economy
Ship-to-shore cranes loading cargo at the Port of Long Beach on April 10, 2025.
(
Corine Solberg
/
Sipa USA via Reuters
)
Officials at the Port of L.A. are nervously watching Tuesday, July 8, on their calendars. That’s when a 90-day pause by the White House on double digit tariffs on goods from major U.S. trade partners is set to end.
President Donald Trump has been non-committal about extending the pause, but said this weekend he was expecting the tariffs to come into effect, unless trade deals were done before then.
Business at the port complex, the biggest in the U.S., had already dropped because of Trump’s trade war in the spring.
On some days more than 1,000 diesel trucks an hour pass between the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.
(
Courtesy Center for Community Action and Environmental Justice
)
Sponsor
“Imports coming in were down about 20% in May, coming from Asia ... into Los Angeles compared to the prior month,” said Phillip Sanfield, spokesperson for the Port of L.A.
Even though major tariffs were paused, Sanfield said, U.S. businesses made fewer purchases from China and other countries because of the expected higher prices caused by tariffs.
The drop in traffic has led to less work on the docks.
“It's being felt in the pocketbook by the dock workers and waterfront workers throughout the port complex,” including truckers, Sanfield said.
It's being felt in the pocketbook by the dock workers and waterfront workers throughout the port complex.
— Phillip Sanfield, Port of L.A. spokesperson
The Port of L.A. handled more than $26 billion in trade through its facilities in April of this year. The vast majority of that is imports from Pacific Rim countries. China accounted for 27% of that trade value. Japan and Vietnam are behind China; together the two countries account for about 30% of the value of products coming through the port.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
