US seaports handled the equivalent of 451,000 40-foot containers of goods from China in December, a year-over-year increase of 14.5%.

American buyers rushed to stockpile Chinese goods before Donald Trump returns to the White House with a threat to impose tariffs of between 10 and 60 percent.

The shipping industry enters 2025 with tariffs on the horizon as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office.

According to China's government customs agency, exports to the U.S. alone jumped 16 percent year over year during the month.