In spite of the tariffs, US retailers continue to import Chinese goods to meet consumer demand. Imports at the nation’s major retail container ports are hitting their stride and are expected to surpass the record levels notched last year. One reason is that retailers cannot quickly or easily change their sourcing. It is a different matter, though, that tariffs will eventually mean higher prices for American consumers.

Cargo arriving at the major US ports in August was up 3.4 per cent over last year. September imports are expected to rise 2.7 per cent and October will see a 4.3 per cent jump. Cargo arrivals are expected to be up 2.3 per cent in November, and December seeing a four per cent uptick.

The first half of 2018 saw cargo-container traffic up 5.1 per cent over the first half of 2017, while import cargo volume for all of 2018 is predicted to increase 4.4 per cent over last year. Last month, the US imposed an additional ten per cent tariff on imports from China. Those tariffs could increase to 25 per cent at the beginning of the year. The third round of tariffs is now in place, and further tariffs have been threatened.