The Port of Los Angeles, the busiest trade gateway in the United States, experienced a historic surge in container volume last month, signaling a sharp rebound from a slowdown in May. The port handled approximately 892,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in June 2025—a 32% increase month-over-month and the highest June volume ever recorded, according to Executive Director Gene Seroka.
Despite the encouraging numbers, Seroka emphasized that the increase reflects the unpredictable nature of current U.S. trade policy. “While record-setting volume is welcome news, it also highlights the tariff whipsaw effect,” he stated during a July 14 media briefing.
Since returning to office, President Donald Trump has imposed some of the most aggressive import tariffs in modern U.S. history. Businesses have struggled to keep up with frequent policy changes—steep new tariffs are often announced and then revised shortly after, creating an unstable environment for global trade planning.
In May, container traffic slowed significantly when tariffs on Chinese imports were increased to over 100%. However, volumes rebounded by mid-June following a temporary truce between Washington and Beijing that saw tariffs lowered again.
The port reported handling around 470,000 import containers in June, up 10% from the same period in 2024. Export volume saw a slight increase, reaching 126,000 TEUs, while empty container traffic rose 7% to 296,000 TEUs.
Seroka noted that, when combined, cargo volumes in May and June roughly match levels from the previous year. However, he cautioned that the spike in activity is likely the result of businesses accelerating shipments ahead of another tariff deadline set for August 1, when higher duties on many U.S. trading partners are expected to take effect.
The short-term surge in container volume may not be sustainable. With trade tensions escalating, forecasters predict a significant drop in cargo traffic for the remainder of the summer and into the critical holiday shipping season starting in November.
Adding to concerns, Trump has recently threatened new tariffs, ranging from 30% on goods from Mexico and Europe to 50% on copper and 100% on Russian exports or countries purchasing energy from Russia. These moves may provoke retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods, placing further pressure on American exporters.
“There’s a concern among American outbound shippers that we’ll start to see more reciprocal tariffs on U.S. goods,” Seroka warned.
Final Thoughts
While the Port of Los Angeles record-breaking June reflects a temporary trade rebound, long-term prospects remain cloudy. Importers and exporters alike should prepare for continued volatility, rising costs, and potential supply chain disruptions as new tariffs loom and global trade relationships evolve.
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