Port leaders on Monday in Los Angeles and Long Beach welcomed the 90-day suspension and cuts in tariffs between the US and China.
The two countries agreed to temporarily lower tariffs on Monday as negotiations continue.
The US will reduce the tariff rate on Chinese products from 145% to 30%, but China plans to effectively reduce taxes on US imports from 125% to 10% on Wednesday.
“The 90-day suspension and tariff reduction between the US and China is welcome news for consumers, American businesses, workers and supply chains,” Jeanseroca, executive director of the Port of Los Angeles, said in a statement posted about the X.
Seroka urged both countries to work towards a long-term agreement and urged the US to engage with other countries to reduce existing tariffs.
Port and city officials held a press conference in Long Beach on Monday to highlight the results of a new economic impact analysis covering the past five years. While officials welcome the port’s success, it
President Donald Trump’s tariffs were enacted in April.
Mario Cordello, executive director of Long Beach Port, said that what we and Chinese officials are currently discussing is good news.
Both agreed to cancel 91% on tariffs on each other’s goods and halt an additional 24% on 90 days of tariffs.
“But the fact of the matter remains uncertainty and I think what the industry is looking for is to have certainty and clarity as to what its tariff policy will look like over the medium and long term,” Cordero said.
He noted that tariffs are affecting a variety of products, including refrigerators, computers, smartphones, microwaves and televisions.
“The massive reduction in cargo volumes could lead to fewer options for consumers,” Cordero added.
Gary Herrera, president of International Longshore Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 13, on behalf of approximately 9,000 full-work and 6,000 part-time dock workers, discussed the impact of tariffs on employment.
“We see cargo volumes dropping, hundreds of jobs each day, and the point where there are fewer job opportunities available to men and women in ILWU,” Herrera said. “We’re on the forefront. Once
Cargo volume drops, we saw it first. ”
Part-time members are forced to find and work in a variety of industries, Herrera said.
“We want some real numbers, some real agreements that will be signed and dated and some real agreements that will drive us forward — not a pause,” Herrera said.
Trump says it is necessary to balance trade, boost US manufacturing, curb illegal immigration and human trafficking, reduce federal budgets and impose what he calls fair.
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