Container imports through U.S. maritime gateways in September declined 8.4% from August to over 2.3 million. Imports from China dropped 12.3% month-over-month, with steep declines in aluminum, footwear, and electric machinery. The U.S. accounted for 11.9% of China’s exports in the first half of the year, despite lower shipments.

The Trump administration’s tariffs have reshaped U.S. trade, with China seeking other export markets. Retaliatory tariffs that halted trade are winding down. Imports from the top 10 countries fell 9.4% in September, led by China. The top 10 U.S. ports saw containerized imports fall by 7.9%, except for Tacoma which grew by 4.7%.

Descartes noted that China faces pressures in the U.S. market due to import duties and costly port fees. Chinese retail giants adapted by shifting to a U.S.-based fulfillment model and building warehouses in North America. Despite challenges, China continues to navigate the changing trade landscape.

Read more at Yahoo Finance: Tariffs cause some China imports to crash 44% in September