China trade ties carry significant weight for US West Coast ports
With China accounting for about 55 percent of trade at the Port of Long Beach and roughly 40 percent of business at the neighboring Port of Los Angeles, stable relations between Washington and Beijing are not an abstract diplomatic concern for the two busiest container ports in the United States. That deep trade linkage means ...
The Port of Long Beach and neighboring Port of Los Angeles handle a significant portion of U.S. trade, with China accounting for about 55% of the cargo at Long Beach and roughly 40% at Los Angeles. Stable relations between Washington and Beijing are crucial for these ports, as shifts in U.S.-China ties can quickly impact cargo flows, jobs, consumer supply chains, and investments across Southern California.
Noel Hacegaba, CEO of the Port of Long Beach, emphasized the importance of stable and constructive relations with China for the global economy and American businesses. Long Beach has been China's largest trading partner by cargo volume for decades, handling about 55% of the port's imports and exports. The port serves as a vital link in the Pacific trade corridor, connecting Chinese manufacturers with U.S. consumers and distribution networks.
Similarly, the Port of Los Angeles has deep ties with China, with China accounting for approximately 40% of its business, more than double that of its next-largest trading partner. Gene Seroka, the port's executive director, stated that China remains a critically important trading partner, and longstanding relationships with Chinese ports have led to cooperative initiatives beyond cargo handling, such as cleaner shipping, digitalization, and supply-chain resilience.
Both ports are expanding cooperation with Chinese counterparts in areas like green shipping corridors to reduce emissions and improve global trade efficiency. As of 2025, the Port of Los Angeles handled over 10 million TEUs annually, while the Port of Long Beach processed a record 9.9 million TEUs, accounting for about 31% of U.S. containerized international waterborne trade and supporting 2.4 million jobs nationwide.
Written by urgent.news from Hellenic Shipping News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
