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 Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
