Jobs at the Port of Los Angeles are down by half, executive director says

Job opportunities at the Port of Los Angeles are dwindling as President Trump’s steep tariffs take a hit on global trade and a major economic engine for the regional economy.

Nearly half of the longshoremen who support operations at the port went without work over the last two weeks, Gene Seroka, executive director of the Port of Los Angeles, said in an interview.

The port processed 25% less cargo than forecast for the month of May, he said.

Trump’s tariffs have drastically stemmed the flow of goods into the U.S., driving down activity at the neighboring ports of L.A. and Long Beach, which collectively processed more than 20 million 20-foot-long cargo units last year.

The two ports are the largest in the country and provide jobs for thousands of dockworkers, heavy equipment operators