Impact of Tariffs on Southern California Truck Drivers

Amid a wave of unprecedented tariffs, truck drivers like Helen are experiencing heightened anxiety as their livelihood depends on transporting cargo containers from the Los Angeles and Long Beach harbors to various locations in Southern California.

Following a robust start to the year, job availability has noticeably declined, and drivers have been informed of predictions for a significant drop in incoming cargo during May and June.

Helen, a 38-year-old mother of three, mentions that even in stable times, her family struggles to make ends meet. “There’s real concern that we’re going to be struggling,” she said, expressing her worries about the potential lack of work. “If ships are not coming in and there are no loads, then there is no work. If there is no work, there’s no money.”

As President Trump’s aggressive tariffs disrupt business operations, those working at the country’s busiest ports are feeling the consequences. The Port of Los Angeles, sprawling over 7,500 acres and handling over 10 million cargo units in 2024, alongside the Port of Long Beach, which dealt with 9.6 million units, is witnessing a slowdown due to these tariffs.

With tariffs reaching 145% on goods from China, 25% on imports from Canada and Mexico, and 10% on many other countries, the inflow of goods into the U.S. is anticipated to decline significantly. Raman Dhillon, CEO of the North American Punjabi Trucking Association, stated, “The truckers are scrambling right now. They are on the verge of collapsing. The administration needs to act quickly, or there will be chaos, price hikes, and empty shelves.”

California’s U.S. Senator Alex Padilla and other Democratic senators have condemned Trump’s tariffs, warning of job losses and rising prices. Agricultural exporters have also voiced concerns about how tariffs and retaliatory measures will impact international markets, with Padilla stating, “The drop in cargo volume caused by Trump’s tariffs will result in empty shelves, rising prices, and more Americans out of work.”

A recent study revealed that a mere 1% decrease in cargo to the ports could result in the loss of 2,769 jobs, jeopardizing as many as 4,000 additional positions. With expectations of a 35% drop in cargo arrivals at the Port of Los Angeles in the coming weeks, union officials are deeply concerned about job security for longshoremen and truck drivers alike.