Below are highlights from the recently released trade data from the US Census Bureau and US Bureau of Economic Analysis. To view additional data and analysis related to the California economy, visit our website at www.centerforjobs.org/ca. Reflecting the Lunar New Year holiday, total trade through the state’s ports dropped $9.0 billion (-11.5%) from January, but […]
Below are highlights from the recently released trade data from the US Census Bureau and US Bureau of Economic Analysis. To view additional data and analysis related to the California economy, visit our website at www.centerforjobs.org/ca. Trade activity through the state’s ports took a dip in January, with total export and import flows down 3.5% […]
Below are highlights from the recently released trade data from the US Census Bureau and US Bureau of Economic Analysis. To view additional data and analysis related to the California economy visit our website at www.centerforjobs.org/ca. With the December numbers in, California posted new records for trade through the state’s ports measured in both nominal […]
Below are highlights from the recently released trade data from the US Census Bureau and US Bureau of Economic Analysis. To view additional data and analysis related to the California economy visit our website at www.centerforjobs.org/ca. Although the trade numbers softened in November, total trade flows through the state’s ports remained on track to post […]
Below are highlights from the recently released trade data from the US Census Bureau and US Bureau of Economic Analysis. To view additional data and analysis related to the California economy visit our website at www.centerforjobs.org/ca. Trade through the state’s ports picked up in October compared to the prior month, led by a surge in […]
Below are highlights from the recently released trade data from the US Census Bureau and US Bureau of Economic Analysis. To view additional data and analysis related to the California economy visit our website at www.centerforjobs.org/ca. Reflecting levels typically seen in September as tariff-induced and holiday related surges eased, total trade through the state’s ports […]
Total trade through the state’s ports in July rose 11.1% compared to June and 3.9% compared to July 2024, reversing the small dips seen in the prior two months. State origin exports continued their rise for every month so far in 2025 (comparing same month, prior year) at a gain of 5.9%, while destination imports again saw a loss, at 4.6%.
Trade statistics in June again were buffeted by tariff policy shifts. Nationally, the goods and services trade deficit fell 16.0% as exports eased more slowly (-0.5%) than imports (-3.7%).
The trade statistics in May once again reflect more shifts in policy around tariffs rather than economic fundamentals. Nationally, the trade deficit rose over the previous month as exports slowed more than imports, but imports remained well below recent months due to the steep variations in pre-tariff surges.
Overall, the national trade deficit declined substantially, with goods and services exports up $8.3 billion from March and imports dropping after the recent goods surges by $68.4 billion. These results, however, indicate much of the goods movement in recent months reflects acceleration of shipments that otherwise would have occurred in April and the upcoming months.
Trade flows in the first two months of 2025 were heavily affected by two factors: accelerated inventory shipments in an effort to stay ahead of the recently imposed tariffs and the annual shifts due to the Chinese New Year holiday in China, which this year straddled both January and February. Total trade through the state’s ports in the first two months was up 14.9% from the same period in 2024 in nominal terms, and up 12.7% in real terms. Both measures represent a new high in trade activity.
Trade flows in the first two months of 2025 were heavily affected by two factors: accelerated inventory shipments in an effort to stay ahead of the recently imposed tariffs and the annual shifts due to the Chinese New Year holiday in China, which this year straddled both January and February. Total trade through the state’s ports in the first two months was up 14.9% from the same period in 2024 in nominal terms, and up 12.7% in real terms. Both measures represent a new high in trade activity.
California’s trade surged in January 2025, with total trade flows rising by $13.5 billion (20.2%) compared to January 2024. Origin exports from the state’s businesses were up $1.1 billion (7.8%), and destination imports into the state were up $8.8 billion (25.7%).
Incorporating the December data, Total Trade through the state’s ports grew to their highest levels in 2024. In nominal terms, Total Trade rose 12.7% over the year and 23.0% compared to pre-pandemic 2019. In real terms, Total Trade was up 12.2% compared to 2023 and 8.1% compared to 2019.
The November trade data in general shows activities easing from the prior month as shippers shifted from holiday stocking, but remained well above trade levels a year ago in November 2023 as a focus remains on building inventories in anticipation of tariff increases in 2025. Total trade through the state’s ports remains on track to set new records this year in both nominal and real terms.