Port of Los Angeles Sees Record June Amidst Tariff Race

Importers Rush Cargo Ahead of Extended Tariffs

The Port of Los Angeles experienced a surge in activity last month, setting a new record for June as businesses expedited shipments before impending tariff deadlines. Executive Director **Gene Seroka** announced the robust figures, highlighting the “tariff whipsaw effect” on trade flow.

June Surge Driven by Tariff Fears

The port witnessed an 8% increase in cargo compared to June of the previous year, marking its best performance on record. This boost was partly attributed to the arrival of five unscheduled vessels. **Gene Seroka** noted that after a sluggish start, the port “bounced back strong in the second half of June,” emphasizing that the record volume underscores the volatile nature of tariff impacts.

Imports had previously slowed in May and early June following the implementation of baseline tariffs by the Trump administration on various countries. However, a subsequent pause in some tariffs spurred renewed movement of goods.

Tariff Deadlines Shift, Creating New Urgency

President **Donald Trump** extended the deadline for reciprocal tariffs multiple times, recently pushing it to August 1. This extension, however, prompted businesses to accelerate their import schedules to avoid higher rates. The port anticipates a second wave of increased volume in July as companies aim to clear shipments before the August 1 deadline.

“With pushing back the trade tariffs with nations around the world to August 1, were probably going to get one last push on imports coming to the United States, and doing as much as they can to sneak in under that new August 1 deadline.”

—Gene Seroka, Port Executive Director

The port expects a decline in August volume as retailers are hesitant to place large speculative orders, potentially leading to significant discounts during the holiday season. It is now too late in the year to renegotiate orders for year-end products, **Seroka** explained.

Industry Grapples with Tariff Uncertainty

Despite the tariff-related fluctuations, the Port of Los Angeles’s overall volume for 2025 remains 5% ahead of the same period last year. Nationally, imports are projected to increase in July, followed by a significant double-digit decrease through year-end, according to the National Retail Federation’s port tracker.

“The tariff situation remains highly fluid, and retailers are working hard to stock up for the holiday season before the various tariffs that have been announced and paused actually take effect,” stated **Jonathan Gold**, vice president for supply chain and customs policy at the National Retail Federation. He added that while the August 1 extension is appreciated, the ongoing uncertainty makes planning difficult, particularly for small businesses lacking the capacity to absorb tariff costs.

The National Retail Federation predicts that the upcoming tariff increases will lead to higher prices for American consumers and potentially impact product availability on store shelves. Retail analyst **John Zolidis** of Quo Vadis Capital, Inc., anticipates that consumers will feel the impact of these tariffs, with price hikes on frequently purchased items, such as back-to-school backpacks, within the next three to six weeks.

As of early August, the U.S. trade deficit widened to $74.2 billion in July, the largest gap in 15 months, as imports increased while exports fell, according to the Commerce Department. Reuters (August 5, 2025)