Gov. Josh Shapiro visited the Port of Philadelphia (PhilaPort) on Thursday to speak directly with port officials, business leaders, and workers about the impact of new federal tariffs on their operations and expenses.
The governor’s visit comes amid new federal tariffs — the highest in a century — that are disrupting supply chains and driving up prices on goods nationwide.
“Tariffs are taxes — and they’re going to make everything from fresh fruit to chocolate to auto parts more expensive for Pennsylvanians,” said Shapiro. “While Washington drives up prices and makes it harder for our businesses to compete, my Administration is focused on cutting costs, growing our economy, and making smart, strategic investments to show Pennsylvania is open for business.
“The President may have announced changes to his tariffs yesterday — but despite the chaos and confusion, the reality is this: the tariffs in place today are still much higher than they were when he took office.”
South Philly‘s PhilaPort is the largest port in the country for imported fruit, supporting 12,000 jobs locally and 66,000 maritime jobs statewide. Last year, the Port accounted for $3.2 billion in fruit imports — more than any other American port and 20 percent of all U.S. food imports — and is a global leader in the import of food products, cars, meat, cocoa, and steel.
Pennsylvania is also home to two other ports — Pittsburgh and Erie — that support international trade.
“Here in South Philly, we have a global and diverse economy. Whether it’s workers at the Port or the shops along 7th Street, our community depends on imports,” said Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler. “Our neighbors are already struggling to keep up with the costs of everyday goods: these new tariffs will cut into their paychecks and could threaten the jobs and businesses we all rely on.”
Daniel Duffy, a crane operator with 27 years of experience at PhilaPort and a member of the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) Local 1291, said, “When you buy fruit at the grocery store or a new couch for your living room, a longshoreman helped make that happen.
“These tariffs are just a tax — they raise costs and could damage operations at the port,” Duffy added.
In the last 10 years, the Commonwealth has invested more than $500 million to modernize the Port’s infrastructure, warehousing, and equipment, and improve regional economic stability.
There are major expansion efforts planned for the port — including the PhilaPort Strategic Plan: Destination 2040, which is expected to generate 9,000 new direct jobs, $2.8 billion in new business revenue, and more than 12 million tons of additional cargo capacity.
“Trump’s economic whiplash endangers people’s ability to provide food for their families and obtain the medications they need,” said Sen. Nikil Saval. “Pennsylvanians deserve family-sustaining wages, safe and healthy homes, and flourishing school communities – not to have their wellbeing casually and callously endangered.”
