Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
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
Support for LAist comes from
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
)
“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.
Support for LAist comes from
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.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons after suddenly shutting down six months ago. -
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
-
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars.
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
Best of LAist