The Port of Long Beach and the Port of Los Angeles, as two of the busiest and most important ports in the United States, have a large share of their trade with China. The Port of Long Beach alone conducts about 55% of its trade with this country, while the Port of Los Angeles dedicates nearly 40% of its activities to China. These two ports are located in San Pedro Bay and are recognized as the largest container gateways in the United States.
China's Commercial Role at the Port of Long Beach
China has been recognized as the largest trading partner of the Port of Long Beach in terms of cargo volume for decades. According to Noel Hacegaba, the CEO of the Port of Long Beach, this country accounts for about 55% of the port's imports and exports. Hacegaba has described the Port of Long Beach as "a vital link in the Pacific trade corridor" and emphasizes that this port serves Chinese manufacturers and exporters as well as American consumers and businesses.
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Deep Connections with the Port of Los Angeles
At the Port of Los Angeles, connections with China are equally deep and important. Gene Seroka, the executive director of this port, has stated that China constitutes nearly 40% of the port's activities, which is more than two and a half times that of its next largest trading partner. Seroka added, "China remains a vital trading partner for the Port of Los Angeles, and our long-term relationships with Chinese ports have paved the way for further collaborations that go beyond cargo movement."
Trade with China continues to be a central element for both ports. Sustainable bilateral relations can help protect cargo movement, jobs, and consumer supply chains. Additionally, China is one of the leading markets for California's exports.
Besides cargo volume, these two ports are expanding collaborations with their Chinese counterparts in areas such as clean transportation, digitalization, and supply chain resilience. Seroka referred to collaborations with the ports of Shanghai, Guangzhou, and recently Shenzhen in the areas of green transportation corridors and other initiatives aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving the efficiency and resilience of global trade.
This port-to-port collaboration is an example of how practical cooperation can provide meaningful benefits for both sides of the Pacific.
By 2025, the Port of Los Angeles managed over 10 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) annually, while the Port of Long Beach continued its operations by processing a record 9.9 million TEU. The scale of activity at these two ports underscores the broader economic significance of these centers.
Overall, these two ports managed about 31% of the United States' international container trade in 2025 and support 2.4 million jobs across the country.
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