Seattle Port Workers Brace for Impact of Tariffs

As trade tensions escalate, longshore workers at the Port of Seattle are bracing for potential job losses due to soaring tariffs on Chinese imports, now at 145%. Port leaders in Seattle and Tacoma express concern that the current pause on tariffs fails to provide the needed stability for shipping carriers. Mark Elverston, president of the International Longshore Warehouse Union Local 19, notes that the number of jobs at risk is uncertain and fluctuates daily. Economic stakes are high, as Toshiko Hasegawa, president of the Port of Seattle Commission, highlights the broader implications for families relying on port jobs. With 90% of the region's trade tied to Asia and China accounting for a significant portion, local inflation is anticipated to rise.

Port officials are already witnessing congestion and delays as reciprocal tariffs from China disrupt cargo movement. Hasegawa's advocacy for local ports emphasizes the need for policy changes to prevent major ocean carriers from bypassing Seattle in favor of larger ports. The article underscores the critical link between international trade policies and local economic health, calling for urgent action to safeguard jobs and maintain stability.