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Many of the nation’s ports have reported record monthly and quarterly container volumes so far in 2019, but port executives are expressing concern that steeper tariffs on Chinese goods imposed by President Donald Trump could hurt the economy — and their facilities.

WASHINGTON — Ports, which incorporate various modes of transportation, can serve as testing grounds for public-private partnerships, according to experts gathered during Infrastructure Week.

As global warming creates shipping routes that can cut across the northern tip of the planet, a new port is being built on the fringe of the Arctic circle.

The bustling activity at America’s seaports added $5.4 trillion to the economy in 2018 by way of revenue to businesses, personal income and economic output by exporters and importers.

The nation’s biggest ports are off to a mixed start compared with 2018’s record year, showing slower 20-foot-equivalent container volume as the economy gradually slows and with U.S.-China trade talks set to resume shortly.

The nation’s major ports finished 2018 setting monthly and yearly container volume records, and industry experts said 2019 is off to a strong start. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump said on Feb. 24 he is delaying the scheduled March 1 increase in the tariffs on $200 billion in Chinese imports.

The nation’s ports continued to see steady growth in November cargo volume, as shippers moved goods to the United States from overseas in advance of the holiday shopping season and rushed to get cargo stateside ahead of expected tariffs on shipments from China.

The trade association that represents the nation’s ports has written to the leadership of United States Customs and Border Protection expressing concern about the costs that CBP expects ports to absorb for new and upgraded facilities to house CBP staff.

September and October were record months for many of the nation’s ports as shippers prepared for a busy holiday shopping season and rushed to get cargo into the U.S. ahead of the Trump administration’s tariffs against several nations, including China.