Around 45 thousand workers at ports on the East Coast of the US have gone on strike, halting half of the country’s trade. The workers, who are employed in US ports, went on strike due to the failure of collective bargaining negotiations between labor unions and employer organizations. 36 ports were affected by the strike. This is the first strike recorded in US ports since 1977. If the strike continues for a long period, it could have negative consequences for the US and global economy. The total capacity of the ports affected by the strike corresponds to half of the US’ total trade volume. According to JPMorgan’s estimate, the daily cost of the strike to the US economy will be between 3.8 to 4.5 billion dollars. While the automotive trade is expected to be negatively impacted, the strike could reignite both employment and inflation risks. Prior to the strike, negotiations were being conducted between labor and employer unions. The employer side proposed a 50% salary increase, which was rejected by the workers. The port workers’ union is demanding a fairer contract.