Nearshoring Withstands Tariffs, Geopolitical Upheaval
Nearshoring continues to reshape North American supply chains as companies move production from Asia to Mexico, prompting a surge in cross‑border truck freight. Shippers are adding border transloading, consolidating loads in Mexico, and building regional fulfillment hubs to mitigate volatile tariffs and fuel costs. Data from Infios shows shipment values up 78% while entry counts fell 7%, indicating more consolidated, higher‑value moves. Executives say transportation strategy is now inseparable from tariff strategy, making visibility and local carrier partnerships critical.
UPS Targets Cross-Border Growth With Airfreight Expansion
UPS is adding a time‑definite heavy‑air‑freight service between the United States and Mexico, launching in August with one‑, two‑ and three‑day options. The move is backed by a $50 million investment to upgrade network capabilities and staff dedicated teams. UPS positions...
CVSA Roadcheck Blitz Checks for Secure Records and Cargo
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) conducted its 2026 International Roadcheck from May 12‑14, zeroing in on electronic logging device (ELD) tampering and cargo securement. Inspectors performed 1,580 checks, logging 2,637 violations and 496 out‑of‑service orders—a 31.4% out‑of‑service rate. Freight rates...
Analysts Tell OPEC+ Hormuz Disruption to Last Through 2026
Analysts briefing OPEC+ in Vienna warned that the Strait of Hormuz blockage will keep oil supplies constrained through the end of 2026, even if the waterway reopens soon. The closure, which halted roughly 20% of global oil and gas flow,...
Tomato Prices — Up 40% — Now a Symbol of Grocery Sticker Shock
U.S. CPI data shows tomato prices have surged 40% year‑over‑year, outpacing all other food categories. The spike follows the July withdrawal from a duty‑free Mexico tomato deal and a 17% tariff that lifted tariff collections from $16,424 to $4.6 million. Restaurants...
Toyota Halts Lexus EV Plans Under Broader Investment Review
Toyota Motor Corp. has halted development of the next‑generation electric Lexus model, the LF‑ZC, originally slated for a mid‑2027 launch. The decision stems from weak EV demand and the loss of U.S. subsidies, and comes amid a broader review of...
USPS Suspends Nonessential Expenses Amid Cash Shortage
The United States Postal Service announced a freeze on discretionary spending, cutting travel, office supplies and nonessential professional services as it battles a temporary cash‑flow shortage that could run out by early 2027. The agency has already raised stamp and...
Canada Pitches U.S. on Closer Ties in Autos, Aluminum
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney used a New York Economic Club speech to urge the United States to deepen cooperation on aluminum, auto manufacturing and critical minerals. He highlighted Quebec’s hydro‑electric aluminum production, Canada’s status as the largest buyer of U.S.‑built...
Cummins Expects X10 to Lift Heavy-Duty Truck Engine Share
Cummins introduced the X10 engine in March 2025, replacing the L9 and X12 in its North American lineup. The X10 delivers up to 450 hp and 1,650 lb‑ft of torque, 70 hp and 400 lb‑ft more than the L9, and extends oil‑drain intervals to...
House Panel Slated to Debate FY27 Transportation Bill
The House Transportation, Housing and Urban Development appropriations panel will consider the FY2027 funding bill on June 3, featuring a $200 million allocation for truck‑parking projects nationwide. The measure provides $92.2 billion in discretionary spending, including $926.6 million for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety...
Strait of Hormuz Traffic Fades to a Crawl
Commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz fell to a crawl on May 27, with only a handful of vessels—mostly Iran‑linked—observed transiting. Bloomberg’s ship‑tracking data recorded just two ships entering the Persian Gulf and a Chinese fuel tanker stalled mid‑voyage, following...
Nussbaum Boosts Pay for OTR Van Drivers
Nussbaum Transportation announced its biggest compensation overhaul for over‑the‑road van drivers, raising mileage pay and weekly minimum guarantees while introducing profit‑sharing and a transition bonus. Current OTR drivers see a 3‑cent‑per‑mile increase and $50 higher weekly guarantee; new hires get...
Americans Are About to Pay Even More at the Grocery Store
The USDA’s May 2026 Food Price Outlook projects grocery prices to climb 3.2% this year, with some analysts expecting inflation nearer 4‑4.5%. The surge stems from a perfect storm of extreme weather, a historically small cattle herd, tariffs on Mexican...
Russian Diesel, Jet Fuel Export Limits Would Add Price Pressure
Russia is weighing a ban on diesel and jet fuel exports as refinery run rates fall to multiyear lows following intensified Ukrainian attacks on its energy infrastructure. The proposed curbs, still without a set implementation date, target products that account...
Mexico Export Gains Face Trump Tariff, Supply Chain Risks
Mexico’s exports surged to a record $72 billion in April, up 33% year‑over‑year, while imports rose 24% and were 80% intermediate goods. The surge masks a shift toward low‑value assembly, as automotive shipments stalled under higher U.S. tariffs and supply‑chain strains....