[Source/Observation Network by Shao Yun]

The high tariffs imposed by US President Trump on China have caused a sharp drop in freight volumes at multiple US ports, triggering alarm bells within the industry. CNN reported on October 10 that officials from ports on the US West Coast revealed to them an "astonishing phenomenon": In the past 12 hours, no cargo ships had departed from China for major ports on the US West Coast. This was the first time such a situation had occurred since the outbreak of the pandemic.

This data comes from the Port Complex of San Pedro Bay in California, which oversees the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. The report stated that six days ago, there were originally plans for 41 cargo ships to depart from China and head to this global fifth-busiest port cluster, after Shanghai, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Shenzhen. However, by September 9, that number had dropped to zero.

According to CNN, what shocked port officials in the US was not only the sharp reduction in the number of arriving cargo ships from China but also the speed at which this change occurred. "This is concerning," said Mario Cordero, CEO of the Port of Long Beach. "The number of canceled schedules and reduced arrivals we are seeing now exceeds levels seen during the pandemic."

CNN also noted another "unusual phenomenon" unprecedented since the pandemic began: due to tariff policies, the number of container ships arriving at the Port of Seattle was zero on July 7. "This is because there are simply no ships coming over," said Ryan Calkins, director of the Port of Seattle.

On May 6, 2025, stacked containers at the Port of Los Angeles, California. Visual China.

It's not just the Port of Seattle; freight volumes at some of the busiest US ports are also plummeting sharply. It is reported that the volume of containers at the Port of Long Beach has fallen by 35% to 40% compared to normal times, while the freight volume at the Port of Los Angeles has decreased by 31% this week. Additionally, the Port of New York and New Jersey on the East Coast has also indicated it is preparing for a slowdown in freight traffic.

The report states that port officials warned that for American consumers facing rising prices or shortages of goods, the sooner the US government reaches an agreement with China, the better. "If the situation does not change quickly - I'm talking about the uncertainty we are seeing - we may see empty shelves. Consumers will feel the impact within the next 30 days," said Cordero.

Trump mentioned the slowdown in freight volumes at US ports on the 8th, claiming it was "good news," meaning "we are losing less money." This was mocked by US media. "Trump has consistently believed that the US has been cheated, which reveals his fundamental misunderstanding of economics, based on his aversion to other countries," wrote The New Republic, a political commentary magazine. "Trump's latest comments once again expose his stupidity."

Although trade frictions between China and the US began during Trump's first term starting in 2017, China remains the third-largest export destination and second-largest source of imports for the US. According to United Nations statistics, the total bilateral goods trade volume between the two countries reached $688.28 billion in 2024. Last year, US exports to China and imports from China accounted for 7.0% and 13.8% of the US total, respectively.

A.P. Moller-Maersk, the world's second-largest shipping company, stated that current freight volumes between the US and China are down 30% to 40% from normal levels. Vincent Clerc, CEO of Maersk, said, "If we do not see a de-escalation in trade tensions with China and if we do not see more trade agreements being reached, we may face situations where the impacts become more entrenched and more detrimental."

On the 11th, local time, the high-level economic and trade talks between China and the US, currently taking place in Geneva, Switzerland, entered their second day. Previously, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said at a regular press conference on the 7th that the US side has recently expressed hope for negotiations. These talks were requested by the US side. China firmly opposes the US imposing arbitrary tariffs, a position that has not changed.

"At the same time, we have repeatedly stated that China is open to dialogue, but any dialogue must be based on equality, respect, and mutual benefit. Any form of coercion or pressure is ineffective against China. China will firmly uphold its legitimate interests and maintain international fairness and justice," Lin Jian stated.

This article is an exclusive piece by Guancha Network and cannot be reprinted without permission.

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/750309259169319/

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