Shippers Maintain Purchase Orders Despite Trade Uncertainty

Port of Los Angeles sees steady orders despite evolving trade regulations and tariff changes.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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Despite ongoing uncertainty around trade policies and tariffs, shippers are continuing to place purchase orders with overseas suppliers, according to Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka. While the port expects to see typical seasonal trends in 2026, including a post-Lunar New Year slowdown in March, Seroka projects a less than 10% decline in cargo volume for the first quarter compared to the elevated numbers seen in 2025 when importers rushed to get goods in ahead of tariffs.

Why it matters

The steady purchase orders indicate that shippers are adapting to the evolving trade landscape and not significantly scaling back their operations, even as the Supreme Court ruled against the Trump administration's broad use of tariffs. Upcoming meetings between the U.S. and China, as well as a review of the USMCA trade agreement, could further impact supply chains in 2026.

The details

Seroka said he is closely monitoring purchase orders placed by shippers three months in advance, noting that they are currently looking 'stable' despite the 'bumpy' economic environment. The port is expecting to see traditional seasonal trends play out in 2026, including the spring and summer fashion season, back-to-school, Halloween, and the holiday season. However, February arrivals at the Port of Los Angeles are expected to be flat compared to the prior year, and the port anticipates a post-Lunar New Year slowdown in March.

  • Shippers are placing purchase orders three months in advance.
  • The Port of Los Angeles expects to see traditional seasonal trends in 2026, including spring and summer fashion, back-to-school, Halloween, and the holiday season.
  • February arrivals at the Port of Los Angeles are expected to be flat compared to the prior year.
  • The port anticipates a post-Lunar New Year slowdown in March 2026.

The players

Gene Seroka

The Executive Director of the Port of Los Angeles.

Chad Bown

A Reginald Jones senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics.

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What they’re saying

“I watch purchase orders that go out three months in advance to Asia factories, and right now they're looking stable.”

— Gene Seroka, Executive Director, Port of Los Angeles (supplychaindive.com)

“Watching how all of that plays out over the course of 2026 is going to be important.”

— Chad Bown, Reginald Jones Senior Fellow, Peterson Institute for International Economics (supplychaindive.com)

What’s next

The anticipated meeting between President Trump and China's President Xi Jinping, as well as the review of the USMCA trade agreement this summer, could further impact supply chains in 2026.

The takeaway

Despite ongoing trade policy uncertainty, shippers are maintaining purchase orders with overseas suppliers, indicating they are adapting to the evolving trade landscape. However, upcoming trade developments will be crucial to monitor as they could further disrupt supply chains in the year ahead.