Tariff tensions reduce shipments, port jobs in Los Angeles

Jobs at the Port of Los Angeles, the largest and busiest port in the United States, are down by half as U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff hikes cripple trade with Asia-Pacific, local media reported on Saturday.

The Los Angeles Times reports that the U.S. government's tariff policies have severely curbed shipments to America, leading to declining cargo volumes at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. As two of the nation's busiest trade gateways, these ports used to employ thousands of dockworkers, heavy equipment operators, and truck drivers. But now with global trade disrupted by U.S. tariffs, port operations have seen a sharp down slide.

Over the last 25 work shifts, only 733 jobs were available for 1,575 longshoremen looking for work, Los Angeles Times reported, citing Gene Seroka, executive director of the Port of Los Angeles, adding that the port processed 25 percent less cargo than forecast for May.

"They haven't been laid off, but they're not working nearly as much as they did previously," Seroka said. "Since the tariffs went into place, and in May specifically, we've really seen the work go off on the downside."

Seroka attributed the decrease in job opportunities to lower cargo volume moving through the port. He also pointed out that the June numbers are forecast to be lower than traditional levels.

The Port of Los Angeles has ranked as the largest container port in the United States each year since 2000. In California alone, nearly 1 million jobs are related to trade through the port.

The LA Times report said the decline in shipping has broader ripple effects on the logistics economy of Los Angeles.

A 2023 report found that the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach contributed 21.8 billion U.S. dollars in direct revenue to local service providers, generating 2.7 billion U.S. dollars in state and local taxes and creating 165,462 jobs, directly and indirectly.

A decline of just 1 percent in cargo to the ports would wipe away 2,769 jobs and endanger as many as 4,000 others, the study found.

Tariff tensions reduce shipments, port jobs in Los Angeles

Tariff tensions reduce shipments, port jobs in Los Angeles

Tariff tensions reduce shipments, port jobs in Los Angeles

The Japanese intruder who broke into the Embassy of China in Japan on Tuesday morning was arrested by the police later the same day, with more information about the case disclosed, according to local media.

The intruder has been identified as Kodai Murata, 23, a second lieutenant in Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF), stationed at Camp Ebino in Miyazaki Prefecture, according to Kyodo News, citing Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department. A second lieutenant is the lowest officer rank within the GSDF.

The suspect allegedly entered the premises of the Chinese embassy at around 09:00 local time, carrying a knife and shouting threatening words. He was initially detained by embassy staff and later arrested by police on suspicion of unlawful entry, the report said.

The man admitted that his act was illegal and he also threatened to kill Chinese diplomatic personnel in the so-called "name of god." The GSDF said it would cooperate fully with the police and deal with the case "strictly," proceeding "based on facts."

According to the Chinese embassy in Japan, a man claiming to be "an active-duty officer of the Japan Self-Defense Forces" forcibly broke into the embassy by climbing over a wall on Tuesday morning, threatening to kill Chinese diplomatic personnel.

The embassy has lodged solemn representations and a strong protest with the Japanese side, demanding that Japan provide a responsible explanation.

Intruder to Chinese embassy in Japan arrested, more information disclosed