AmericanHort and 52 agricultural trade associations have called on the Biden administration and the incoming Trump administration to help facilitate negotiations between the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) ahead of the January 15, 2025, contract deadline. Citing the significant disruptions caused by the October 2024 East and Gulf Coast port strike, which delayed supply chains for weeks, the letters warn that another shutdown could jeopardize $1.4 billion in weekly agricultural trade and undermine U.S. competitiveness. The organizations stress the critical need for uninterrupted port operations to protect the agricultural sector and maintain supply chain stability.