New accord gives hope to US ports

Operators urge more negotiation to break down remaining trade barriers

Officials at US West Coast ports, some of which have experienced significant cargo losses, were cautiously optimistic as China and the United States on Wednesday signed the first part of a hard-fought trade deal.

"We have yet to see any details about the phase one deal, but we do know that cargo volumes will not return in the short run," said Gene Seroka, executive director of the Port of Los Angeles, which has watched traffic drop for more than year.

"We've experienced 14 consecutive months of declining exports, and China has developed new trading partners. With imports, the migration of manufacturing to Southeast Asia is real, and we are seeing the effects to global trade flows," Seroka said. "All of this may be the new normal. The global trade and business community needs a sense of certainty so that we can execute our plans."