If a trade deal is not made with China very soon, the summer of 2025 will be "the summer of empty shelves".  According to the Trump administration, "U.S. goods imports from China in 2024 totaled $438.9 billion".  We cannot possibly replace 438.9 billion dollars worth of goods that are normally sent to us by the Chinese.  In fact, there are thousands of products that Americans regularly buy that are currently only made in China.  We have foolishly become extremely dependent on the Chinese, and now most of the things that China makes will no longer be coming here.

The good news is that major retailers such as Walmart, Target and Home Depot still have Chinese-products to sell us because they stocked up in advance.  But as they run through existing inventory levels during the next several weeks, shortages will begin to appear.  In fact, Marketwatch is warning that "you can see the shelves starting to empty"…

It takes 30 to 50 days for container ships from Asia to reach the U.S.'s West Coast ports. Barring new, faster shipping options or a stunning retreat by U.S. President Donald Trump on China tariffs, the consumer retail economy, which constitutes 70% of GDP, will be damaged. Demand for container space from China on the ships transiting the Pacific Ocean currently is running 60% to 65% below what it normally would be at this time.

Attention, U.S. shoppers: If you see something you need or even think you will, head to Walmart or Target or a local retailer and buy it. Already you can see the shelves starting to empty.

If you are seeing any empty shelves now, you need to understand that this is just the beginning.

Conditions will steadily get worse until a trade deal with China is reached.

Small businesses and online retailers like Amazon will start running out of Chinese-made products first.

But it is only a matter of time before Walmart, Target, Home Depot and other big box retailers also find that they are running out of Chinese-made goods to sell.

CBS News is warning us that disruptions to our supply chains "could empty store shelves as early as this summer"…

Shipments of Chinese goods to the U.S. are plunging, auguring potential supply-chain disruptions that could empty store shelves as early as this summer, some experts have warned.

As U.S. tariffs of up to 145% on Chinese imports take hold, supplies of a broad range of products could start to dwindle later this summer as back-to-school and holiday spending heat up. Experts warn that the sharp decline in trade activity could lead to COVID-19 pandemic-like shortages of products, including goods assembled in the U.S. or elsewhere that use materials or inputs from China.