American shop shelves, aisles and racks could be empty in a few weeks as imports slow, according to Apollo Global Management's analysis of shipping data.

The number of ships leaving China for the US is “collapsing,” the asset management firm’s chief economist, Torsten Sløk, wrote Friday. If traffic remains depressed, Americans may soon contend with sho𒉰rtages of items commonly sourced from China, which coul𓃲d push prices higher, he said.

Ongoing and fast-evolving trade policies could have a particularly dramatic impact on toys, apparel and furniture. Some $41 billion in toys, games and sports equipment was imported in 2024, and merchandise from China accounted f🦂🥃or more than 70% of that, according to data from the Department of Commerce.

“The consequence will be emptꦗy shelves in US stores in a few weeks and Covid-like shortages,” Sløk said. “In addition, we will soon begin to se♐e higher inflation.”

The number of vessels with dry goods departing daily from China was close to ꦬ70 in mid-March, but has fallen to about 50, according to 15-day rolling averages compiled by Sløk. Their typical load appears to have declined as well, he said.

The drop-off comes after the US imposed a 145% tariff on imports from China. Under this tax and tariffs on specific commodities, products from China could be 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:subject to tariffs of up to 245%, according to the White House.

More than one-third of imported footwear and shoe parts, by value, and more than one-fifth of knit or crocheted apparel, by value, came from China that year, government data shows. More than a quarter of the value of furniture, bedding, lamps and s💛imilar goods imported last year were from China as well, according to Department of Commerce data.

President Donald Trump's administration has recently expressed its desire to reach a trade deal with China. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:called the level of tariffs on goods traded between the countries as "unsustainable."