As Port of Seattle Commission President, I am deeply committed to ensuring our region's economic vitality. The Puget Sound region's economic prosperity is linked to global trade: The maritime industry supports 25,000 direct jobs and 58,000 supply chain jobs, with 40% of Washingtonians relying on trade and commerce to support their families.
Recent tariff policy fluctuations have introduced considerable market uncertainty, directly impacting our port's competitiveness and regional workforce stability.
Last week, I participated in a roundtable with U.S. Senator Patty Murray to discuss these challenges.
We're witnessing concerning trends: Most immediately, export commodities reaching our docks are being canceled and returned, while some exporters have halted new orders to China entirely.
We are at severe risk of substantial negative long-term impacts. In my recent FOX 13 Seattle interview, I highlighted how these tariffs — taxes on imported and exported goods — create cascading effects:
- Increased costs for importers and exporters
- Disruption of established supply chains
- Risk of cargo diversion to alternative ports
- Threats to local jobs and economic stability
For those interested in learning more about tariffs, my colleague Commissioner Sam Cho offers an informative series on his Instagram account (@commishcho) that explains tariff mechanisms and their economic impacts.
While these challenges are significant, the Port of Seattle's mission remains steadfast: creating economic opportunities that support families throughout King County and beyond. Our port's legacy of innovation, resilience, and collaboration positions us well to overcome these obstacles. Through continued partnership, we will maintain the Pacific Northwest's position as a global trade leader.
All my best,
Toshiko Hasegawa
Port of Seattle Commission President
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