In an article on September 3, 2012 The Journal of Commerce quoted Venable partner Ashley Craig on the effect of a potential dockworkers strike in the U.S. East and Gulf Coast ports. A work stoppage of this scale would block half of all U.S. containerized cargoes, and would have a significant economic impact that would be felt within a few days.
In the context of the United States' fragile economic condition, and the upcoming presidential election, Craig asserted that "If there is a work stoppage, the pressure at all levels of government to reopen the ports would be unprecedented."