Huge decline at LA port is a hit to truckers—and a stark warning of coming tariff damage

Logistics experts are warning that cargo volumes at U.S. ports are undergoing a precipitous drop. This trend is most apparent in Los Angeles, home of the nation's busiest port, and one that is first to feel any drop-off from Asian shipping. The drop in container shipping is the latest sign the White House's trade war is having a real effect on the U.S. economy, and one sizable group of workers is poised to feel the impact first: long-haul truckers.

On Thursday, the founder of a media firm that tracks shipping trends reported that daily volumes this week are equivalent to Thanksgiving and Christmas Day—the two slowest shipping days of the year. The founder, Craig Fuller, also warned truckers to avoid hauling shipments to Los Angeles since they would likely have to "deadhead" back home—the industry term for driving an empty load.

Trucking volumes out of Los Angeles are equivalent to Thanksgiving and close to Christmas.

Thanksgiving and Christmas are typically the lowest volume days of the year.

Truckers should avoid taking freight to Southern Cal, else risk having to deadhead back to Dallas to get… pic.twitter.com/fdF0JCozWO— Craig Fuller