Descartes Datamyne finds U.S. import activity fell 4.5% after 2025 tariff wave

Descartes Datamyne reported that U.S. import activity dropped 4.5 percent year‑over‑year following the April 2, 2025 rollout of reciprocal tariffs. Mexico’s share of U.S. imports rose 6.6 percent while Canada’s fell 10.6 percent over the same period.

Vietnam’s import volume to the United States increased by 16 percent, and its maritime shipping volume rose by a matching 16 percent. Thailand’s import volume grew 24 percent and its shipping volume rose by 24 percent. Indonesia leapt into the top ten U.S. maritime suppliers, with its import volume jumping 73 percent. Overall containerized imports to the United States fell 4.3 percent, even as China’s shipping volume declined 18 percent while it remained the top source.

The analysis covers the year after the United States imposed reciprocal tariffs on April 2, 2025, tracking changes through May 1, 2026. It also notes that import growth stalled after the August 2025 IEEPA restrictions but rebounded 9 percent when the Supreme Court overturned those measures in April 2026. Section 232 duties on steel and aluminum remained in place, and after the IEEPA tariffs lapsed, 122 new tariffs replaced them.

What we know

• Import activity dropped 4.5%

• Mexico rose 6.6% as top supplier

• Canada fell 10.6%

• Vietnam surged 16% by volume

• Thailand shipping volume surged 24%