U.S. Container Imports Fall 6.6% in May, 7.9% in June Amid Trump Tariffs, Marking Third Annual Drop in Six Decades

The volume of shipping containers carrying U.S. imports declined for the second consecutive month in May and June 2025, according to private data sources. Inbound container volumes fell 6.6% in May and 7.9% in June compared to the same months in the previous year, marking one of the steepest year-over-year reversals on record. This decline follows a surge of over 15% in 2024 and is attributed primarily to tariffs implemented under former President Donald Trump. The drop in container imports is expected to contribute to a broader slowdown in the U.S. economy during the second half of 2025, with tariff and immigration policies cited as key factors. This potential annual decline in container imports would be only the third such drop in six decades, comparable to declines seen during the pandemic and the financial crisis.