Late Night Live - Separate stories podcast
US ports and logistics suffer from tariff chaos
May 20, 2025
Juliette Kayyem, a national security analyst for CNN and former Obama administration official, discusses the chaos caused by fluctuating U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports. She highlights how these tariff changes are leading to uncertainty at U.S. ports and crippling small businesses. The conversation dives into the resilience of supply chains amid disruptions, the broader economic impacts, and the worrying signs of America's credit score downgrade. Kayyem emphasizes the need for sustainable trade policies amidst this turbulent landscape.
18:51
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Quick takeaways
- The fluctuating tariffs imposed by President Trump have created severe disruptions in U.S. ports and logistics, complicating supply chain management and affecting small businesses.
- The unpredictability surrounding tariff policies exacerbates panic among retailers as they struggle to adapt and prepare for potential changes, especially before the holiday season.
Deep dives
Impact of High Tariffs on Trade and Logistics
The recent imposition of high tariffs on Chinese goods by the United States created significant disruptions in trade, halting the movement of goods and leaving major ports, such as Los Angeles, largely inactive. This situation has been described as damaging to the logistics systems that underpin national and international trade. Juliet Kayem highlights that the tariffs led to a 30% reduction in shipping traffic, exacerbating supply chain disruptions. The instability generated by the tariffs has affected not just large retailers but small businesses reliant on a predictable flow of goods.
