Donald Trump’s unpredictable trade policies—especially the escalating tariffs on Chinese goods—are beginning to ripple through the U.S. economy.
Until now, American consumers haven’t felt the full impact. But that may be changing fast.
Major retailers like Walmart, Target, and Home Depot, which rely heavily on Chinese imports, recently warned the White House that continued tariffs could lead to empty store shelves within weeks. Walmart alone gets about 60% of its imports from China.
As shipping companies scramble to adjust, container traffic between China and the U.S. is starting to collapse. “Blank sailings”—canceled shipping routes—have surged, with over 40% of scheduled trips from Asia to the U.S. East Coast being scrapped.
Bookings for container shipments from China to the U.S. fell 64% in early April, according to Vizion. Analysts say many companies are canceling orders while they reassess costs and strategy.
This drop in demand is leaving cargo ships half-empty, pushing shipping rates down sharply. The cost to ship a 40-foot container has fallen by more than 50% since January, according to data firm Xeneta.
As the effects of the trade war spread, it’s clear that American businesses—and soon consumers—are bracing for impact.
This is what happens when to elect a moron to be President of the United States. Good job, America!