Despite warnings that President Trump’s tariffs would cripple international trade, the Port of Long Beach reported its busiest year ever in 2025.

In his State of the Port address Thursday, CEO Dr. Noel Hacegaba said the port moved 9.9 million twenty-foot container equivalent units, or TEUs, last year, including a record 4.8 million TEUs in imports.

“Along with our top imports like electronics, furniture and clothing came millions of Disney’s Ultimate Stitch interactive plush doll, the hottest toy from this past Christmas,” Hacegaba said.

Top exports included petroleum products, machinery, chemicals and agricultural goods.

Experts had predicted double-digit percentage decreases in container imports if Trump’s tariffs on goods from Asia, particularly China, were implemented as planned. He initially imposed tariffs as high as 145% on some Chinese goods but later lowered them to a minimum levy of 30%.

Workers leap across rooftops to flee immigration officers in California

As Hacegaba celebrated the banner year, he called 2026 a “year of transition.”

“Now we must navigate shifting tides of tariffs and trade policies, and failure is not an option,” he said. “It’s happening at a time when our global supply chain is undergoing its own transformation. Preparing for the future has never been more important and more complex.”

Over the next decade, the port plans to spend $3.2 billion on upgrades that include expanding the number of terminals, renovating aging ones and improving rail infrastructure. Hacegaba expects the annual flow of cargo to double in the next 25 years.

“The Port of Long Beach has been around since 1911, but in order to remain relevant, we have to stay ahead of the competition,” he said.

The Port of Los Angeles ended the year with 10.2 million TEUs, making it the nation’s busiest port for the 23rd straight year.

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.