“US imports” are set to slow in the second half of 2568, facing pressure from a 125% tariff on Chinese goods.

Experts warn that “US imports” are set to slow in the second half of 2568, facing pressure from a 125% tariff on Chinese goods, creating new pressure on global supply chains and costs.

On April 10, 2025, at 4:03 PM, Reuters reported that U.S. imports by sea in March 2025 increased by 11% compared to the previous year, reflecting continued strong monthly growth this year. However, trade officials indicated that the escalating tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump may cause trade prospects to weaken after mid-year.

Descartes, a supply chain technology services provider , reported that the United States imported a total of 2,380,674 20-foot containers (TEUs) in March, the third highest level ever recorded for that month.

China continued to dominate imports, accounting for nearly a third of total imports in March, with volumes from China up 1% year-on-year as importers continued to front-load goods ahead of tariffs, pushing monthly import figures near record highs.

However, US-China trade has slowed, with imports from China falling 12.6% from February to March after the Trump administration announced 10% tariffs on Chinese goods in February and another 10% in March.

Jackson Wood, Director of Industry Strategy at Descartes, said, “Global supply chains are facing significant challenges, particularly from the volatility caused by increased U.S. tariffs and retaliatory measures from trading partners.”

On April 9, 68, President Trump announced an increase in import tariffs on Chinese goods from 104% to 125% in response to China's retaliatory tariffs. Prior to that, Trump had announced a 90-day moratorium on retaliatory tariffs on other countries, with the base tariff remaining at 10%.

Before the tariffs were officially announced, the National Retail Federation (NRF) and consulting firm Hackett Associates projected that U.S. import container volumes would be at least 2568% lower in the second half of 20 than in 2567. Both agencies confirmed that they have no plans to update their estimates at this time.

China remains a strategic point for U.S. imports, as it is a major source of imports for U.S. retailers and manufacturers, from Walmart to Ford.

"While the Port of Los Angeles has seen an increase in import volumes recently as importers attempt to pre-order to avoid tariffs, that volume could fall by more than 10% in the second half of 2568 compared to 2567," said Gene Seroga, Executive Director of the Port of Los Angeles.

U.S. imports from foreign countries are often used as an indicator of economic health because they reflect consumer and business demand. If higher tariffs increase the cost of goods, it could lead to inflation that drags down both household and business spending and weighs on overall growth.

Some major banks have warned that the Trump administration’s trade war could increase the risk of a U.S. recession. “If the trade war drags on, it will inevitably have an impact on the global economy,” said Mario Cordero, CEO of the Port of Long Beach.

Reference: reuters.com

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