Historic Shift: Zero Ships from China Headed for California’s Major Ports—A Pandemic First! | CNN Business

On a recent Friday, officials from the West Coast ports revealed an unusual situation: not one cargo ship had departed from China for major U.S. West Coast ports in the last 12 hours. This is the first time this has happened since the pandemic began.

Just six days earlier, 41 vessels were set to leave China for the San Pedro Bay Complex, which includes the Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Long Beach. Now, that number has plummeted to zero.

The dip in shipping activity follows significant tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on Chinese imports last month. These tariffs have made it costly for American businesses to trade with China, one of the U.S.’s most crucial trading partners.

Concerns are rising about not just the lack of ships, but also the speed of this decline. Mario Cordero, the CEO of the Port of Long Beach, noted, “Seeing these numbers is alarming. We’re experiencing levels of cancellations and fewer arrivals that we didn’t even see during the pandemic.”

The steep decline in cargo volume at major U.S. ports is striking. The Port of Long Beach has reported a 35-40% drop in activity, while the Port of Los Angeles is down 31% this week. The Port of New York and New Jersey also expects a slowdown, and the Port of Seattle reported having no container ships, another rare occurrence.

Ryan Calkins, a port commissioner, remarked, “It’s clear that nothing is being shipped over.”

U.S. and Chinese trade representatives are gearing up for their first face-to-face meeting in Geneva. The goal? To ease tensions in the trade war. Currently, most goods shipped from China face a staggering 145% tariff, while American exports to China are hit with a 125% tariff. On Friday, President Trump hinted at a possible reduction in tariffs, but any final decisions will be made by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

The impact of this trade conflict on consumers is becoming evident. Cordero stated that if this uncertainty continues, shoppers could see empty shelves in just 30 days. More than 63% of the cargo flowing into the Port of Long Beach originates from China, although this figure has dropped from 72% in 2016 as retailers have started to explore options outside of China due to ongoing trade friction.

Despite this shift, China remains a major source of imports. Maersk, the world’s second-largest shipping company, revealed that freight volume between the U.S. and China has decreased by 30-40% compared to normal levels.

Vincent Clerc, Maersk’s CEO, warned, “If we don’t see a de-escalation, these problems could worsen and become more entrenched.”

As statistics show, shifting trade patterns can profoundly impact industries and consumers alike. For instance, according to a recent Gartner study, 77% of companies are reconsidering their supply chains for future stability. This trend hints at a possible reshaping of global trade dynamics.

In a nutshell, this unusual drop in shipping activity reflects broader economic concerns and highlights the fragile state of U.S.-China relations. As companies and consumers brace for the implications, all eyes are on the forthcoming talks in Geneva. For further details, you can consult trusted sources like CNN.

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