​U.S. recyclers exporting secondary commodities are confronting new challenges amid escalating trade tensions and tariff policies under President Donald Trump. The imposition of a 145% tariff on Chinese imports has led to a significant decline in container bookings from China to the U.S., with reports indicating a drop of up to 60% . This downturn is affecting not only importers but also exporters of recyclable materials, who rely on the availability of containers and stable shipping routes.​The Port of Los Angeles, a major hub for trans-Pacific trade, has experienced a substantial decrease in container volumes, with expectations of a 10% drop in the second half of the year This decline is causing ripple effects throughout the logistics industry, including reduced trucking volumes and increased difficulty in securing shipping containers for exports.​