Why Trump’s tariffs barely dented trade at the Port of Oakland

President Donald Trump’s promise of aggressive, sweeping tariffs when he took office last year led to fears of economic upheaval. But in Oakland, the results barely moved the needle.

There are two reasons, industry experts say, that the total number of shipped goods remained basically flat in 2025, according to the Port of Oakland’s annual trade report released Monday. First, the port proved surprisingly adaptable, maximizing efficiency and maintaining its relationships with shipping companies.