Boss of Biggest US Port Predicts When Tariffs Could Bite Consumers

 American importers currently have around "five to seven weeks of normal inventory" stockpiled according to Port of Los Angeles Director Gene Seroka.

After that, he expects consumers to face "less choice and higher prices" due to President Trump's tariffs, Seroka told AFP news agency.

Newsweek contacted the Port of Los Angeles and the Department of Commerce for comment on Saturday via email on Saturday outside of regular office hours.

Why It Matters

President Trump was elected in November on a platform that included cutting inflation, so any price rises could be difficult for him politically.

In the longer term Trump argues the tariffs will boost manufacturing in the U.S. and slash the country's trade deficit with certain foreign powers, though critics argue it will lower economic growth and living standards, and boost inflation.

What To Know

"American importers, especially in the retail sector, are telling me that they have about five to seven weeks of normal inventory on hand today," Seroka told AFP.

He added: "If this trade dispute goes on for any length of time, we'll likely see fewer selections on store shelves and online buying platforms.

"The impact on American consumers will be less choice and higher prices. The American consumer is going to get hit right in the wallet."

The Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Long Beach are two of the main points by which Chinese imports in particular enter the United States.

According to Seroka the Port of Los Angeles received 35 percent less cargo during the week of May 4 than during the same period in 2024. The Port of Long Beach said it expects imports to be down 30 percent in May compared to last year.

Seroka noted that many importers had brought additional goods into the U.S. at the start of the year in a bid to preempt Trump's sanctions, giving them a cushion of goods.

However, he noted they are now eating into this, adding: "Many retailers and manufacturers alike have hit the pause button, stopping all shipments from China."

Trump imposed biting tariffs targeting most of America's trading partners on April 2, which he dubbed "liberation day." Most of these were later paused for 90 days and replaced with a flat 10 percent rate, rising to 25 percent for automobile imports.

However in a series of tit-for-tat escalations Trump raised tariffs on imports from China to 145 percent, with his administration claiming some Chinese products would face tariffs of 245 percent once other charges were included. In response Beijing imposed a 125 percent tariff on imports from the U.S.

In 2024 the U.S. imported approximately $438.9 billion worth of goods from China according to government figures.

Earlier this week financial data was released showing the U.S. economy shrank during the first quarter of 2025, raising fears of a recession.