Port of Los Angeles pushes new trade routes while safeguarding its China connection

On July 21, 2026, Gene Seroka – the Executive Director of the Port of Los Angeles – sat down for a CNBC "Squawk Box Asia" segment and laid out a straightforward, if ambitious, plan. "We're chasing every kilo of freight," he said, a phrase that captures both the urgency and the scale of the port’s current ambition.

Seroka didn’t just speak about numbers, though. He painted a picture of a gateway that’s simultaneously looking outward – scouting fresh trade corridors across the Pacific and beyond – while refusing to loosen the rope that ties it to China, a market that still accounts for a substantial slice of the port’s cargo volume.

"Building new trade ties while maintaining strong China links" summed up the balancing act, according to Seroka. It’s a line that sounds simple, but the logistics behind it are anything but. The port is essentially trying to diversify its cargo streams without alienating a partner that has, for decades, helped shape its growth.

Why the push now? The global supply‑chain landscape has been in flux for years – trade wars, pandemic‑induced slow‑downs, and shifting consumer demand have all nudged ports to rethink their strategies. For Los Angeles, that rethink means courting emerging markets in Southeast Asia, Latin America, and even Africa, all while keeping the well‑worn lanes to Chinese ports humming.

Seroka’s comments came at a time when U.S. policymakers are also urging greater resilience in maritime trade. Yet, he made it clear that the port’s approach isn’t about replacing China; it’s about adding layers. "We want more options, not fewer," he noted, a sentiment that resonates with many industry insiders who see diversification as a hedge against future disruptions.

While the interview didn’t dive into hard figures – no cargo‑tonnage forecasts or specific trade‑agreement details were disclosed – the message was unmistakable: the Port of Los Angeles is gearing up for a broader, more flexible trading future, and it intends to do so without burning bridges with any of its current partners.

In short, the harbor’s strategy is a two‑track one: pursue new markets with the same vigor it applies to existing ones, and keep the China relationship as sturdy as ever. As Seroka put it, the port will keep “chasing every kilo of freight” – wherever that freight might be coming from or heading to.