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 LA container traffic jumps 32% in June as tariffs loom
Cargo containers sit stacked on ships at the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro.
(
Mario Tama
/
Getty Images
)
Port of L.A. container traffic grew to 470,450 loaded containers in June — up 32% compared to the prior month — as customers try to get in as much as they can before tariffs threatened by President Donald Trump kick in.
Port officials say Trump’s on-again, off-again approach to tariffs he’s announced on overseas imports has created a rollercoaster in traffic.
“As we saw in the month of May, people slammed on the brakes importing goods from China and, to an extent, other places,” said Port of L.A. Executive Director Gene Seroka.
Listen
0:48
Port of LA container traffic jumps 32% in June as tariffs loom
Sponsored message
Earlier this year, Trump announced a pause on some major tariffs until the beginning of July. He’s paused some of those again until the beginning of August.
Run or walk the Vincent Thomas Bridge at the Conquer the Bridge 5.3 mile race on Labor Day.
(
Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
/
Getty Images North America
)
-
The Studio City house has been nominated as a historic-cultural monument. -
The site in South L.A. was paid $2.3 million to provide space for up to 88 unhoused residents last fiscal year. But two observers found the site was operating at half capacity. -
Some areas have seen more than 10 inches of rain. More showers are expected all week, with another storm heading into the area late in the week.
“With this little bit of timeline movement to Aug. 1, you start seeing a quick shot up of the imports that are coming in now,” Seroka said.
China is by far the largest source of imports into the Port of L.A. and the U.S.
“I brought in probably five months’ worth of inventory [earlier this year,]” said Bobby Djavaheri, president of Yedi Houseware, a Los Angeles company that imports items like air fryers and waffle makers from China that are sold in stores like T.J. Maxx.
But he said that’s slowed down as he’s had to pay tariffs since then on some items.
Sponsored message
The bulk of container traffic into the Port of L.A. is imports. Export traffic is about one-fourth the amount of import traffic. But export traffic through the port also grew, up 3% compared last year. But there’s a concern among port officials that reciprocal tariffs imposed by foreign countries may reduce that traffic.
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
