U.S. seaports handled 6.8% less container import volume in January than they did in the previous year, when U.S. companies rushed to import goods in order to avoid President Donald Trump's new tariffs, sending imports to a record-high for the month.

Investors closely monitor U.S. containers?imports as they are an indicator of economic health. This includes consumer demand, which is the'main driver' of the domestic economy. These figures also demonstrate the ripple effects of Trump's policies on Main Street and Wall Street.

U.S. container imports in January totaled 2,318,722 TEUs, which was higher than the historical average. This indicates a normalized trade climate shaped by steady demands - rather than frontloading, said Descartes.

Imports totaled 771 093 TEUs in January 2025, a decrease of?22.7%.

Last month, China accounted to one third of all U.S. exports. (Reporting and editing by Matthew Lewis in Los Angeles, with Lisa Baertlein)

(source: Reuters)