October 14, 2025 — U.S. imports declined again in August and are likely, experts say, to continue to decline for the rest of the year.
The National Retail Federation (NRF), which produces the Global Port Tracker with Hackett Associates, attributed the declines, both actual and projected, to the effect of tariff pauses, which caused shippers to move merchandise for the holiday season early, producing mid-summer shipping rushes.
