Another potential port strike is looming. Here's what to know about the January talks.

Another possible U.S. port strike is looming later this month, which may seem like deja vu given it's only been three months since a work stoppage stemming from a labor dispute closed every major East and Gulf Coast port in October.

While that strike ended after three days with a tentative deal between the International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) that addressed some key issues, the sides face a January 15 deadline to resolve other concerns. 

With the union and USMX resuming negotiations on Tuesday, January 7, the specter of another port shutdown is heightening concerns among economists, businesses and policy experts. To be sure, the dockworkers and port operators could reach an agreement ahead of the deadline, which occurs just days before President-elect Donald Trump will be inaugurated for his second term.