Tracy Lehr
PORT HUENEME, Calif. – In the midst of President Trump’s new trade policies, Sen. Adam Schiff visited the deep-sea Port of Hueneme.
It is the largest port between the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach and San Francisco.
The port is known for importing autos, bananas, and blueberries, and for exporting U.S. goods.
Autos make up half the port’s revenue. The port also handles refrigerated goods.
Sen. Schiff and his wife, Eve, took a boat tour aboard the Island Fox with port officials to learn more about the port’s operations.
“It is fascinating to be out here and see just the magnitude of the cargo that goes through this port, what an important driver it is to the regional economy, but also all the steps they are taking toward electrification, all the steps they are taking to reduce emissions. It is a model, I think, for ports all around the country — and one I hope others will follow,” said Schiff.
Schiff, who was elected to the Senate last year, did not shy away from talking tariffs.
“I am really disturbed by the destructive nature of these tariffs, the on-and-off-again consistency of them. None of this makes any economic sense, and of course it has just been driving down our economy. None of it is doing anything to improve the cost of goods, which just continue to rise,” said Schiff.
The senator said lawmakers are trying to change that.
“In fact, the tariffs are pushing prices higher, so it is enormously counterproductive. I hope they will find some way to bring this to an end. It sounds like the president is trying to find some face-saving way to bring this to an end, but you can’t have a policy where they are on one day, off the next, doubled the following Tuesday. It just makes it impossible for businesses large and small to plan — and what’s more, we are needlessly alienating our allies.”
Schiff said Canada is beginning to boycott American goods by removing U.S.-made products from shelves and telling businesses not to send them products.He called it “economic self-destruction.”
Schiff said there is legislation to reclaim authority by nullifying tariffs unless Congress affirms the tariff policy.
“I do see a growing recognition — at least in the Senate — that these chaotic on-and-off-again tariffs are doing nothing but driving our economy into a ditch.”
Longtime Port Director and CEO Kristin Decas has been navigating the changing federal trade policy.
“We are really privileged to have him here,” said Decas. “It is ideal to have him here and get him educated in what we do in Hueneme.”
She said customers are trying to stay calm.
“The way our customers are looking at the new trade policy developments is sort of a wait-and-see mode — wait and see what is actually implemented so they don’t make knee-jerk reaction decisions but make very informed decisions based on what U.S. consumer demand will be once the policies are ironed out,” said Decas.
Ships made in China and from China are likely to be impacted the most.
Decas wants the senator and neighbors to know the port is doing extremely well financially without government funding.
“We are a debt-free port, and our numbers are very high. Our cargo has grown about 80 percent over the last decade, and so we are going to remain optimistic that the trade policy developments keep our business strong and keep our local residents employed,” said Decas.
Oxnard Harbor Commissioners, including Mary Anne Rooney, were glad to show Schiff how the port contributes and is working toward its goal of being a zero-emissions port operation by 2030.
“I am really thrilled to be out here to see what the port is doing,” said Schiff. “It really is an extraordinary economic force in the region, but also it has been fascinating to learn what they are doing to improve the quality of the air in the region — making sure we are looking after residents, not just the business that runs through this port.”
The senator and his wife saw a green barge that can capture emissions and docks equipped with charging stations for ships.He called it “phenomenal” and “the way of the future.”
But Schiff said ocean-going vessels still need to do their part to reduce pollution and tackle the climate crisis.
Schiff said he also visited the Channel Islands a few days ago and reflected on the 1969 oil spill that helped launch the environmental movement.
“We need to be able to move away from fossil fuels to address climate change. We need to be able to move away from further drilling along the coast. It is just too risky and doing too much damage to the planet,” said Schiff.
He said when it comes to oil, the Trump administration is moving in the wrong direction.
“While the administration claims to want to further energy independence, what they really mean by that is they want to advance the oil industry because they are trying to kill wind power and all different kinds of renewable energy.”
He said the administration seems intent on repealing what President Joe Biden put in place.
“We have that kind of petty, petulant president — but it goes well beyond that.”
Schiff also picked up some port lingo, learning that “RoRo” stands for “roll on, roll off” — a method of loading and unloading cargo using wheeled vehicles and trailers, as opposed to “lift on, lift off” with cranes.
The port shares dock space with Naval Base Ventura County. That portion of the port is off-limits to the public and photography.
Although the wharf was built by Thomas Bard in 1937, the military took control during World War II.Commercial business returned after the war.
Cars and tropical fruit became big business at the port starting in the late 1970s.
According to the port’s website, it handles $15 billion in annual trade value and has an annual economic impact of nearly $3 billion.
For more information visit https://www.porthueneme.org and https://www.schiff.senate.gov
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