U.S. container imports saw an impressive rise of 11% year-over-year in March, reflecting a beneficial influx for the economy. This surge garnered attention as importers sought to bring in goods ahead of anticipated tariffs set by President Donald Trump. According to the supply chain technology provider Descartes, U.S. seaport imports totaled approximately 2,380,674 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), marking the third-highest volume ever recorded for the month of March.
China played a significant role in this import activity, contributing nearly one-third of the total volume in March. The overall import volume from China increased by 9.4% year-on-year, driven largely by importers taking preemptive measures to avoid tariffs. However, trade dynamics with China are shifting as imports fell by 12.6% from February to March following the imposition of new tariffs of 10% on goods from China.
Experts, including Jackson Wood from Descartes, expressed concerns over the volatility in global supply chains that has arisen from the implementation of escalating U.S. tariffs and retaliatory tariffs from other countries. These worries were intensified when President Trump raised duties on exports from China to 125% in response to their resistance against the tariffs. Simultaneously, a 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs for other nations was announced.
Trade organizations like the National Retail Federation have predicted a significant downturn in containerized import volumes, forecasting a drop of at least 20% in the latter half of 2025. This echoes sentiments from industry leaders, like Gene Seroka of the Port of Los Angeles, who cautioned that despite recent gains, a decline in import volumes could be expected as businesses react to tariff pressures. The implications of such trade activities extend beyond imports.
Major U.S. companies, including Walmart and Ford, depend heavily on imports for essential goods and parts. Analysts warn that ongoing trade conflicts could heighten the risk of a U.S. recession due to inflationary pressures affecting consumer spending. Mario Cordero, CEO of the Port of Long Beach, summarized the situation by stating that a protracted trade war would have consequences for the global economy.