GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV) – The Port of Green Bay is steering toward a promising future, but not without navigating some turbulent waters.
Wednesday morning, Local 5 attended a symposium with key stakeholders where tariffs took center stage in discussions about the port’s future.
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Marc Schaffer, an economics and data analytics professor at St. Norbert College, highlighted the significant ripple effect tariffs can have, stating, “Everything in the supply chain, everything in the transportation chain, the port being one of these elements, could potentially be impacted.”
The 2025 Port Symposium covered a range of crucial topics, including port infrastructure grant funding and the Great Lakes navigation system, but the pressing issue of tariffs dominated the conversation.
Dean Haem, the Port of Green Bay’s director, emphasized the port’s vital role in the region’s economy, noting its $217 million economic impact, which is driven by a substantial flow of goods and manufacturing activities.
Reflecting on the economic climate, Haem remarked, “When we were planning this event even back in December, we anticipated tariffs being a topic of discussion, and they still are.”
In 2024, Wisconsin’s economic activity was substantial, with approximately $38 billion in imports and $28 billion in exports.
Schaffer pointed out that “a lot of these are unsurprisingly, what we’re really good at in this state is a lot of manufacturing.”
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However, he warned that if countries retaliate or seek alternative sourcing for products, the local and regional impact could be significant.
As the symposium wrapped up, one thing was clear: the uncertainty surrounding tariffs continues to loom large over the Port of Green Bay and its stakeholders.
