"There are two reasons, industry experts say, that the total number of shipped goods remained basically flat in 2025, according to the Port of Oakland's annual trade report released Monday. First, the port proved surprisingly adaptable, maximizing efficiency and maintaining its relationships with shipping companies. And second, tariffs were far less punishing on trade than originally announced by the White House."
"When blanket tariffs on many of the West Coast's largest trading partners went into effect on "Liberation Day" on April 2, 2025, economists worried the policy could ignite a recession and spur new inflation, and longshoremen feared the tariffs would cause more empty containers and fewer shifts available for dock workers. Though tariffs caused a temporary drop in the stock market, the Port of Oakland recorded just a 0.4% year-over-year decline in total trade volume."
"Stanford economist Richard Noll said that historically tariffs have been used within a limited scope to protect emerging industries, such as artificial intelligence. Trump has instead used tariffs like an "opening bid" in negotiations with other countries, posturing to extract maximum concessions under the threat of economic pain, both for real tariffs and those that could come in the future."
Port of Oakland total shipped goods remained basically flat in 2025, with only a 0.4% year-over-year decline in total trade volume. Two main factors explained the stability: the port maximized operational efficiency and preserved relationships with shipping companies, and the applied tariffs were less punitive than originally projected. Broad tariffs took effect on April 2, 2025, raising concerns about recession, inflation, empty containers, and fewer dockworker shifts. Tariffs caused a temporary stock-market dip but did not substantially disrupt Oakland's trade. Tariffs are increasingly being used as a negotiating tool rather than narrow industry protection.
Read at The Mercury News
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