The US-China trade war continues to disrupt maritime shipping and retail supply chains, with significant implications for the Seattle area and the Pacific Northwest. Recent reports show that up to 40% of container ships departing from China to the US are sailing nearly empty. This, combined with a surge in blank sailings, has impacted shipping volumes to Seattle and Tacoma, with container arrivals down 12% in April compared to 2024.
Retailers, particularly those in the Pacific Northwest, are already feeling the strain, with some businesses delaying or canceling orders due to concerns over high tariffs. This has resulted in fewer goods arriving at port and possible shortages in stores by late May. Exporters of key PNW products like apples, hay, and frozen French fries are also seeing a decline in demand due to China’s retaliatory tariffs.
Port officials warn that the effects of the trade war, coupled with rising tariffs, may lead to a further slowdown in cargo traffic. While forward buying temporarily masked some of the impact, the long-term outlook suggests even steeper declines in shipments, raising concerns for workers in logistics and retail sectors dependent on trade.
