Port of Los Angeles

Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka on CNN Newsroom with Jessica Dean (Feb. 21, 2026)

Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka told CNN on Feb. 21 that a newly announced tariff ruling has left shippers and port operators in a cloud of uncertainty. He explained that the abrupt shift from a proposed 10% emergency tariff to a permanent 15% Section 122 duty has stalled hiring, weakened capital investment, and muted Q4 economic growth to 1.4%. Seroka highlighted that the 15% tariff is already inflating retail prices on staples such as coffee, bananas, footwear and furniture by more than 10%, while U.S. exports through the port have fallen in nine of the past 13 months, notably soybean shipments to China. He warned that any immediate relief is unlikely and that the port will face a “bumpy road” as businesses grapple with higher costs and unclear rules. The interview underscored the broader supply‑chain strain: seasonal slow‑down after the Lunar New Year is now compounded by policy volatility, making cargo flows sluggish and strategic planning difficult. Companies are limiting forecasts to six‑month horizons, reluctant to invest in talent or technology without stable trade parameters. Analysts see the episode as a bellwether for U.S. import‑export dynamics. Persistent tariff uncertainty could push more costs onto consumers, erode the competitiveness of West Coast ports, and force shippers to diversify routes or seek alternative markets, reshaping trade patterns for years to come.