The American Association of Port Authorities has announced “the departure” of CEO Cary Davis in a sudden resignation that appeared to industry observers to be related to trade issues with the Trump Administration.
A brief statement from the AAPA said: “Serving AAPA for six years, and promoted to CEO in 2023, Cary has been at the leadership helm of AAPA’s commercial, political, and legal matters.
‘’In December Cary will leave AAPA to assist in the 2026 Governor and Congressional elections in his home state of Pennsylvania; advise stakeholders on trade and security; and continue lecturing on trade law. AAPA will immediately begin a search for its next CEO.”
At the AAPA Annual Convention at Québec City last October, Mr. Davis had expressed concerns that statements criticizing Trump administration tariffs were not making him popular with Trump administration officials, reported the American Journal of Transportation (AJOT).
Notably in February 2025, the AAPA added its voice to a cry of alarm of business interests across North America over planned 25% tariffs against imports from Canada and Mexico by the Trump Administration.
“Tariffs are taxes,” stated Cary S. Davis, AAPA President and CEO. “Though the port industry supports President Trump’s efforts to combat the flow of illicit drugs, tariffs will slow down our supply chains, tax American businesses and increase costs for hard-working citizens. Instead, we call on the Administration and Congress to thoughtfully pursue alternatives to achieving these policy goals and exempt items critical to national security from tariffs, including port equipment.”
The Washington-based trade association represents 150 port authorities in the Western Hemisphere, including the United States, Canada, the Caribbean and Latin America.
During the AAPA convention in Québec City, Shawn Balcomb, AAPA public affairs director, said the AAPA will give the Trump administration credit when it is deserved. “We want to be strategic and smart.”
But the AAPA is “proudly free trade,” Mr. Balcomb stressed, adding that “ports exist because of imports and exports.”
(Photo by Kevin Dougherty)