Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka on CNN Newsroom with Jessica Dean (Feb. 21, 2026)
•February 23, 2026
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Why It Matters
The tariff uncertainty threatens higher consumer prices and disrupts supply‑chain planning, forcing businesses to reassess investment and routing decisions at the nation’s busiest West Coast gateway.
Key Takeaways
- •Uncertainty over tariff changes stalls hiring and capital investment.
- •15% Section 122 tariffs raise consumer prices on key imports.
- •Port of LA sees export volumes decline for nine of last months.
- •Seasonal slowdown compounded by trade policy volatility hampers cargo flow.
- •Businesses demand clear rules to plan long‑term talent and technology.
Summary
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.
Original Description
Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka joins Jessica Dean on CNN Newsroom to discuss the continued uncertainty around tariffs, businesses, and the economy.
Air Date: Feb. 21, 2026
Credit: CNN
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