Friday, May 20, 2011 - The Department of Transportation's Bureau
of Transportation Statistics (BTS) today released Preliminary
Observations of the Tsunami's Impact on U.S. Trade and
Transportation With Japan. The fact sheet examines the immediate
impacts of the tsunami and possible longer-term disruptions.
According to the report, the United States faces potential
ramifications from the damage to Japan's freight transportation
system caused by the March earthquake and tsunami. During that
time, the United States may face lower levels of both air and
maritime imports in automobiles and parts, as well as fewer
imports of high-end electronics and devices such as
semiconductors, and specialty chemicals. The disruption of
Japan's transportation and distribution networks has already
affected U.S. industrial supply chains, particularly automobile
manufacturing and assembly plants.