Imports Plunge, Prices Climb — Is Your Portfolio Protected for What’s Next?

The economic fallout from the sweeping new tariffs on Chinese goods is beginning to ripple through the U.S. economy — and fast.

With a 145% tariff rate now in place on many imports from China, major American retailers are slamming the brakes on new orders. At the Port of Los Angeles — the country’s largest gateway for Chinese imports — incoming cargo is projected to plunge more than 35% next week compared to the same time last year.

Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka confirmed the sharp decline recently on CNBC’s Squawk Box.

“According to our own port optimizer, which measures the loadings in Asia, we’ll be down just a little bit over 35% next week compared to last year. And it’s a precipitous drop in volume with a number of major American retailers stopping all shipments from China based on the tariffs,” Seroka said.

With Chinese shipments comprising about 45% of the Port of L.A.’s volume, Seroka said some carriers are pivoting to Southeast Asia in hopes of backfilling the gap.

“Realistically speaking, until some accord or framework can be reached with China, the volume coming out of there — save a couple of different commodities — will be very light at best,” he warned.

And where does all of this lead?

Fewer goods on shelves. Higher prices. Slower growth. Rising fears of a recession. As businesses run out of pre-tariff inventory, choices will narrow and costs are expected to soar.

JPMorgan Asset Management chief global strategist David Kelly warns that unless a trade resolution is reached soon, imports, exports, and inventories all look set to fall sharply.

“Consumers could slow purchases in the face of higher prices and lower inventories while companies could cut back on hiring, capital spending and travel and entertainment expenses, all dragging on demand,” Kelly wrote. “Real GDP growth could be very slow, or even negative, over at least the first three quarters of 2025.”

In This Storm, Gold Stands Firm

While the dollar remains entangled in global uncertainty and policy turbulence, gold is stepping forward as the clear hedge against inflation, instability, and trade-driven volatility. The metal has already surged more than 24% since the start of the year, with no signs of slowing down.

Why?

Because when goods stop flowing, shelves empty, and consumer confidence sinks, markets panic. Investors flee risk. And historically — as in the 1970s and again in 2008 — they pour into gold.

This time is no different. In fact, it may be even more urgent.

With the U.S. dollar under immense strain from trade imbalances, ballooning debt, and now surging import costs, gold has outperformed nearly every major asset. The purchasing power of the dollar relative to gold has collapsed by more than 40% over the past 12 months — a shocking number that has gone largely ignored in mainstream headlines. But for seasoned investors, it speaks volumes.

A Strategic Shift You Can’t Afford to Miss

As the trade war intensifies and economic indicators trend downward, smart investors are making moves — not waiting. Buying physical gold is an incredible store of value, a hedge against global dislocation and a time-tested shield against inflationary spikes and monetary uncertainty.

At Reagan Gold Group, we help clients diversify with physical gold and silver — assets that don’t depend on a politician’s next move or a central banker’s gamble. Whether you’re looking to protect your savings, roll over part of your IRA, or prepare for what comes next, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.