Port employment at the Port of Los Angeles, the United States' largest hub, has halved following tariff hikes instated by U.S. President Donald Trump. This has led to a downturn in trade with Asia-Pacific, as reported locally.
The Los Angeles Times highlighted the effect of U.S. tariff policies on shipments, noting reduced cargo volumes at both Los Angeles and Long Beach ports. These key trade gateways, historically employing large numbers of dockworkers and operators, have seen a downturn due to disrupted global trade patterns.
In recent shifts, only 733 job slots were available for 1,575 longshoremen, according to Gene Seroka, executive director of the Port of Los Angeles. He noted that in May, cargo handling was 25% below projections. "They haven't been laid off, but they're not working nearly as much as they did previously," Seroka stated. The downturn in job availability correlates with reduced cargo movement, and June forecasts indicate similar trends.
Holding the rank as the largest U.S. container port since 2000, the Port of Los Angeles influences nearly 1 million trade-related jobs in California.
The report also indicated the impact on the Los Angeles logistics sector, where the combined ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach generated $21.8 billion in revenue, contributing $2.7 billion in taxes and creating more than 165,000 jobs. A 1 percent cargo decline could potentially eliminate 2,769 positions, risking up to 4,000 job losses.
Source: Bastille Post