NPR

How 'Chaos' In The Shipping Industry Is Choking The Economy

The U.S. trade deficit is hitting record highs — and it's fueled by a surge in demand for imports, mostly from East Asia. On both land and at sea, the shipping industry is struggling to keep up.
Source: Justin Sullivan

Whidbey Island is a lovely place about 30 miles north of Seattle on the Puget Sound. Most days the tranquil sounds of rolling waves and chirping birds provide an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. But these days, all is not so serene. Residents are complaining about the ruckus created by humongous container ships anchored off their shore.

"We've never seen them this close before," a Whidbey Islander told a local news station. "We're hearing the throbbing noise at night. ... It's a nuisance." The noise has been so loud that residents have been complaining to the county sheriff's office about it.

Whidbey Islanders are getting a front row seat to the growing U.S. trade deficit, which is hitting . It's fueled by a for imports, mostly from East Asia. There's so much cargo being shipped to the U.S. from Asia right now

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