U.S. imports from China surge as companies stockpile goods before Trump tariffs

U.S. imports from China surged in December as companies stockpiled goods ahead of potential new tariffs from President-elect Donald Trump. He plans to impose tariffs of 10% to 60% on various products starting January 20. December saw a 14.5% increase in imports, with 451,000 containers arriving at U.S. ports. Overall, imports from China rose 15% in 2024, driven by demand for apparel, toys, and electronics. Retailers are rushing to bring in goods to avoid tariff costs. Other factors, such as strong consumer demand and supply chain disruptions, also contributed to the increase in imports across various categories.