Leading up to October, distributors across the country were bracing for a strike at East and Gulf Coast ports. While the initial strike lasted just three days and work resumed, the fog has far from cleared on whether it will stay that way.

Union dockworkers and port operators are still at the negotiation table, hung up on one sticking point: port automation. And now Trump has weighed in.

The International Longshoremen’s Association has been crystal clear that it is seeking “airtight language that there will be no automation or semi-automation” at ports. Meanwhile, port operators view automation as a necessity for increased efficiency and profits. 

After meeting with ILA President Harold Daggett, Trump posted on Truth Social — a social media platform formatted similarly to X/Twitter and owned by Trump Media & Technology Group — in support of the dockworker’s stance.

“The amount of money saved is nowhere near the distress, hurt and harm it causes for American Workers, in this case, our Longshoremen,” he wrote. Read the full statement below.

In response to the post, the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX), which represents port operators, said:

“This contract goes beyond our ports – it is about supporting American consumers and giving American businesses access to the global marketplace – from farmers, to manufacturers, to small businesses, and innovative start-ups looking for new markets to sell their products. To achieve this, we need modern technology that is proven to improve worker safety, boost port efficiency, increase port capacity, and strengthen our supply chains.”

The National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors, which represents distribution industry, has been vocally in favor of port automation.

NAW President Eric Hoplin joined the MDM Podcast in October to discuss port automation and why distributors should care.

To learn more about how distributors braced and rebounded from the latest port strikes, check out the October Logistics Liaison piece by MDM Senior Editor Vesna Brajkovic… only available through MDM Premium.