Zero Ships From China to California Ports Trade Hit Hard by 145 Percent Tariff

The Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, two of California’s busiest trade hubs, experienced an unprecedented slowdown: no ships departed from China to these ports in the past 24 hours, marking the quietest moment since the pandemic. Port officials have labeled this a “warning signal”, with disruptions surpassing those seen during COVID-19.

Six days ago, 41 ships were scheduled to depart from China, but as of May 10, 2025, the number dropped to zero. This sharp decline follows the Trump administration's decision to impose a 145% tariff on Chinese goods, triggering a severe market reaction.

Seafood Trade Severely Impacted
China, a major exporter of seafood to the US, dominates categories like frozen tilapia, cod, salmon, shrimp, and shellfish—many of which rely on California ports as a transit point. Long Beach port, with 63% of its cargo originating from China, has seen its trade volume plummet, down from 72% in 2016.

According to Maersk shipping data, overall cargo volume between the US and China has dropped by 30–40% compared to normal levels, pushing businesses to cut or cancel orders entirely.

Consumer Goods Shortages Loom
Mario Cordero, CEO of Long Beach Port, warns that if the trend persists, US consumers will see product shortages within 30 days, especially in seafood, agricultural goods, and seasonal items.

For the seafood industry, the situation spells:

• Depleting inventories, forcing importers to seek alternatives in Southeast Asia or South America.
• Export challenges for Chinese seafood firms, driving them to seek markets in Europe or the Middle East.
• Rising cold chain logistics costs and narrowing sales windows.
• Price volatility, increasing pressure on restaurants and retailers.

Trade Talks Signal Hope
High-level trade representatives from the US and China are set to meet in Geneva this weekend, marking the first in-person talks since the latest tariff hikes. President Trump hinted at reducing tariffs from 145% to 80%, though the final decision rests with Treasury Secretary Vicente Besson. Despite the potential reduction, supply chain disruptions may take longer to resolve, particularly for time-sensitive industries like seafood.