US and Asian Seaports Bypass President Trump’s Tariff Policy [MARKET REPORT]

Container Stabilization

Aggressive tariff policies had limited negative effects on the American economy but were quite effective in reducing the trade balance. The U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis announced in January 2026 that the trade deficit in goods and services was $29.4 billion in October of last year, a decrease of $18.8 billion compared to $48.1 billion in September 2025. Exports in October reached $302 billion, a $7.8 billion increase compared to September.

Imports in October reached $331.4 billion, a decrease of $11 billion compared to September 2025. This was due, in part, to a reduction in the trade deficit in goods by $19.2 billion to $59.1 billion. However, since the beginning of 2025, the trade deficit in goods and services has increased by $56 billion, or 7.7%, compared to the same period in 2024. Exports increased by $168.6 billion, or 6.3%. Imports increased by $224.6 billion, or 6.6%. There were even months when the monthly trade deficit approached or exceeded $130 billion, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.

The activity of U.S. container ports was influenced by the fact that “labor conditions improved in Eastern and Gulf ports, while transit times on the West Coast saw minimal overall changes,” Descartes analysts explain. In the final months of last year, West Coast ports increased their share of U.S. imports.

On the political front, delayed tariff hikes and limited trade activity provided limited short-term relief, but broader uncertainties – including US-China trade tensions, ongoing disruptions in the Red Sea and heightened geopolitical risks related to developments in Venezuela – are expected to continue to shape the global shipping environment heading into 2026, Descartes experts said.

December Better Than November

Thus, the situation at US ports is not expected to change much, and this could impact activity not only in Asian ports. The effects of changes in the US economy’s export and import patterns will impact the operations of European Union ports. Import volumes in December 2025 increased by 2% compared to November, representing an increase of almost 44,300 TEU. This was the second-largest increase in container supply in December.

This is a new phenomenon, as December coincides with the holiday season in the US, during which time reduced deliveries were recorded. Imports from China did not impact last December’s results at US ports. Approximately 705.8 TEUs were delivered by ship from China’s ports in December 2025. This represents a 21.8% year-on-year decline in containerized goods imports and a 31% decline below the July 2024 peak. As a result, China’s share of total containerized imports to the US decreased to 31.7%.

China’s import mix in December of last year included containers for both consumer goods and industrial components. Furniture and bedding (HS-94), the dominant category, remained the largest, accounting for approximately 115,400 TEUs (16.4% of China’s container imports). Americans also imported plastics (HS-39 – 15.6%) from the Land of the Dragon. Machinery (HS-84) and electrical machinery (HS-85) together accounted for 19% of total shipments of Chinese-origin goods. Toys and sporting goods (HS-95) filled 5.8% of the containers.

Vietnam, a Major Supplier

American importers compensated for reduced shipments from China with shipments from other countries. This often involved re-exports. Therefore, in December 2025, American imports of containerized goods from other countries, instead of declining, actually increased by 1.9% month-on-month. Approximately 28,400 TEUs were delivered by ship from ports of leading trading partners. Containers loaded at Vietnamese seaports dominated these shipments, with shipments increasing by 5.6% to over 14,700 TEUs.

Forwarders at South Korean ports increased their containerized goods shipments by 16.6%, loading exactly 12,991 TEUs onto ships. Taiwan also saw a strong 14.1% increase in supply. As a result, nearly 6,800 TEUs of containers were delivered to the US via the Pacific Ocean. Shipments from Italy increased by an unprecedented 7.8% to almost 4,200 TEUs.

Thailand (2.6%) (2,856 TEU), Indonesia (2.3%) (1,304 TEU), and Japan (2.1%) (1,081 TEU) were among the next largest suppliers. The Deskartes analyst concludes that “Overall, December’s modest growth reflects broad stabilization in key partner countries, with increased volumes [in containerized cargo shipments – MG] achieved outside of China offsetting losses in volumes originating in China.”

Container terminals in US ports also began to operate more steadily at the end of 2025. It is optimistically assumed that this will continue in 2026. For operators operating from European ports, it is significant that average transit delays decreased in December 2025 in most ports on the East Coast compared to November. New York/New Jersey saw the greatest improvement, with delays down to 1.5 days, while Savannah reduced delays by 0.7 days, Norfolk improved to 0.9 days, and Charleston improved by 0.9 days.

On the West Coast, transit times were largely stable. Deskartes notes: “Los Angeles remains stable, Oakland remains flat, and Long Beach slightly eases by 0.5 days. Tacoma and Seattle saw modest increases.” Overall, December’s results indicate improved gateways on the East and West Coasts, while conditions on the West Coast remained relatively stable, with no signs of widespread congestion, the expert said.

US ports will face the same challenges in 2026 as they did in 2025. The US economy’s links to external markets are too strong to be significantly rebuilt. Outside of Mexico and Canada, economic exchange with the world is significantly supported by maritime transport and a significant contribution from port logistics. This is well illustrated by trade volumes and statistics on trade in goods and services by country and region.

Trade Deficit Higher Than Surplus

The U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis report that, according to third-quarter data, a trade surplus was achieved with the Netherlands ($20.6 billion). A positive balance was also achieved with South and Central America ($18.3 billion), Brazil ($9.2 billion), Singapore ($8.9 billion), Switzerland ($8.6 billion), and Hong Kong ($6.2 billion). The American economy received more inflows than outflows on goods in trade with and from the United Kingdom ($5.4 billion), Australia ($5.2 billion), Saudi Arabia ($3.3 billion), and Belgium ($3.0 billion).

Trade deficits significantly exceed positive balances. In the case of Mexico, the deficit exceeded $50.3 billion in the third quarter alone. Vietnam’s economy, with a surplus of USD 44.2 billion, overtook China (USD 33.1 billion), Taiwan (USD 34.4 billion), and Germany (USD 15.8 billion).

Despite attempts to salvage the balance with high tariffs and non-tariff measures, the deficit resulting from goods supplied to India reached USD 14.1 billion in the third quarter, and USD 10.8 billion with the South Korean economy. Japanese traders and manufacturers also generated a surplus of USD 10.6 billion, and the European Union economies reached USD 9.7 billion. Trade in goods and services has given Ireland a USD 7.4 billion trade surplus with the US. The economies of Malaysia (USD 6.0 billion), Italy (USD 5.9 billion), Canada (USD 4.7 billion), France (USD 3.1 billion), and Israel (USD 1.2 billion) also have positive balances.

The trade deficit with the European Union narrowed by $17.0 billion to $9.7 billion in the third quarter of 2025. Exports increased by $9.8 billion to $193.1 billion, and imports decreased by $7.2 billion to $202.7 billion, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.

The trade deficit with Japan narrowed by $5.3 billion to $10.6 billion in the third quarter of 2025. Exports increased by $0.8 billion to $35.0 billion, and imports decreased by $4.5 billion to $45.6 billion. The trade surplus with Hong Kong decreased by $7.2 billion to $6.2 billion in the third quarter. Exports decreased by $7.1 billion to $10.8 billion, and imports increased by less than $0.1 billion to $4.6 billion. The American economy remains strongly intertwined with many markets. Its stable development is strongly dependent on the efficient operation of maritime and land logistics chains.

Seaports, including container, fuel, and gas terminals, will play a crucial role in ensuring the stable development of the American economy and balancing its trade balance in 2026. However, it appears that global trends in the world economy and American dependence on emerging markets cannot be reversed.