AMERICAN SHIPPING PORTS BRACE FOR TARIFFS – Authorities at the Port of Oakland are “closely monitoring” changes in traffic following Trump’s tariff announcements
Authorities at the Port of Oakland told reporters that they are “closely monitoring” changes in traffic following President Donald Trump’s tariff announcements.
Officials say that vessel service reductions — known as “blank sailings,” where shipping lines cancel scheduled voyages or skip ports — have increased. The Port of Oakland is the nation’s ninth busiest by container volume, and in 2023, about 74% of the port’s trade was with Asia, according to its website.
In a statement, a representative from the Port of Oakland told Reuters, “While we are prepared for potential challenges tied to evolving tariff policies, our focus remains on serving our stakeholders, supporting our import and export industries, and sustaining the economic health of our region.”
The reductions in traffic mirror changes at other American ports. Gene Seroka, the executive director for the Port of Los Angeles, told reporters yesterday that the port expects a 35% drop in cargo from Asia starting as soon as next week.
