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As tariffs hit, US port arrivals fall and ‘blank sailings’ rise – are empty shelves next?

Head of the Port of Los Angeles says the impact on imports is already substantial, with arrivals down by more than a third this week, year on year

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The owner of a store in the US state of Georgia looks at a box of China-made products on Tuesday. Photo: EPA-EFE
Carol Yangin Beijing

With even large companies maintaining only four to six weeks of inventory, US consumers are likely to see reduced options on shelves and higher prices unless major changes occur in the tariff situation, warned Gene Seroka, executive director of the Port of Los Angeles.

Small and medium-sized importers face even greater challenges due to limited inventory capacity, Seroka said at a meeting of the Los Angeles Board of Harbour Commissioners this week.

“If nothing happens, or there are no changes in these trade frameworks, we’ll start seeing spot shortages and fewer selections on store shelves and websites where we try to buy online,” he said on Tuesday.

The port was the country’s largest by import volume in 2024.

Major retailers have halted imports from China due to product prices being two and a half times higher than they were just last month, Seroka said, adding: “Importers simply cannot justify these costs.”

08:23

China unveils policy package to guard against US tariffs ahead of trade talks in Switzerland

China unveils policy package to guard against US tariffs ahead of trade talks in Switzerland

The pause indicates a greater reduction in shipping volume.

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