Senators from California, Washington, and Oregon joined forces with West Coast port officials today to raise alarms over the steep economic risks posed by newly imposed tariffs, warning that they could cripple U.S. port traffic and disrupt national supply chains.

Read also: U.S. Tariffs Prompt Economic Slowdown

The outcry follows the Trump administration’s April 2 “Liberation Day” tariff policy, which slapped a 145% levy on Chinese imports. In response, China imposed 125% counter-tariffs, escalating the trade conflict.

The Port of Los Angeles, the nation’s busiest, expects imports to plummet by 35% within weeks. The Port of Long Beach is forecasting similar declines—posing a direct threat to supply chains across the country.

“Long Beach moves over $300 billion in cargo each year, sustaining 2.7 million jobs nationwide,” said Mario Cordero, CEO of the Port of Long Beach. “The shift from cargo surges to a slowdown will hit the U.S. economy hard.”

Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) underscored the wider implications: “Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are cornerstones of both California’s and America’s economy. The cargo drop means empty shelves, price hikes on essentials, and job losses for American workers.”

Economic analysts from Apollo Global Management warn that trucking demand will shrink sharply by mid-to-late May, raising fears of a recession this summer.

Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.) voiced frustration at the lack of swift action: “Ports can’t reset overnight. The time to reverse these harmful tariffs was the moment they were introduced.”

The International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) echoed concerns, stressing that while free trade has its flaws, the current tariffs are the wrong fix. “We need fair trade policies that safeguard jobs and keep consumer costs down—not reckless tariffs,” the union stated.

The National Retail Federation predicts a steep drop in U.S. import volumes starting in May, ending 19 months of steady growth.

“At the Northwest Seaport Alliance, we are already seeing real damage from this tariff war,” said Ryan Calkins, Managing Member and Port of Seattle Commissioner. “We urge policymakers to handle these negotiations carefully to maintain commercial ties.”

West Coast Senators are now calling on their Republican counterparts to reassert Congressional control over tariffs and halt the escalating trade war before deeper economic damage sets in.

“Congress must take the matches away from a president who’s torching the economy,” said Senator Murray. Senator Padilla added: “It may be West Coast ports today, but the ripple effects will soon hit the entire country.”