SAVANNAH, Ga. () – While many consumers are feeling the impact of the tariffs put in place by the Trump administration several weeks ago, those who deliver the goods said they’re seeing effects as well.

“It’s been a couple months since Trump has passed the tariffs with China and stuff like that,” local transportation industry worker Dequan Smalls said. “Immediately, we did see a big decrease in containers coming through to the Savannah port. So, that was an immediate issue.”

President Donald Trump announced a series of tariffs on a variety of products earlier this year, including cars, steel and aluminum, and several other kinds of items.

With importers now footing the bill on those tariffs, those who work in the shipping industry are already seeing changes.

“People that are driving trucks are getting less freight, less loads, things like that, and that’s transitioning from the port to the warehouse, to the dock workers, and everybody in between,” Smalls said.

UPS recently announced they plan on cutting 20,000 jobs this year.

Now, some are worried about other cuts that could be coming down the pike.

“The major corporations that are freight pullers and things like that, they’re doing fine,” Smalls said. “The smaller mom and pops or the companies that may be contractors and things like that, they’re starting to see the effects of them hit them first because they have to fight more already as it is to get freight and to get work for their workers.”

According to Georgia’s 2024 International Trade Report, China and Mexico were the top two countries that Georgia received imported goods from, totaling $35.8 billion combined.

Lower tariffs began on May 14 for China, but, beyond that time frame, it’s unknown what the rates will look like.

“If you’re in the transportation industry or you work for the ports or you work in warehouses or things like that, you may want to consider looking for another career choice because if things don’t change, it’s going to start with those areas first, and a lot of people will be highly affected,” Smalls said.