After nearly a month under the Trump administration’s renewed tariff regime, signs of economic strain are beginning to surface across US supply chains, inventories, and consumer sentiment. The lag effect of international shipping schedules means the real-world impact of “Liberation Day” is only just beginning to materialize.
Containerized imports from China, which still represent a significant portion of US inbound goods, have plunged by as much as 60 percent, according to industry trackers. Retailers are now bracing for rolling product shortages that could emerge as early as mid-May, with broader consequences unfolding into the summer and fall.
Historically, ocean freight between China and the US has taken between 20 to 45 days to arrive, which means goods ordered or canceled in early April are only now reaching or failing to reach US ports. The Port of Los Angeles has reported a dramatic increase in blank sailings (ships arriving empty) with a combined expected loss of over 350,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in May and June. These shipping disruptions have already begun reducing stock available for core retail categories,
