Import Spikes from Tariffs Pressure Ports and Cross-Border Crossings

Nick Terry • June 13, 2025

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The freight and logistics market has been navigating a turbulent spring as trade policy swings, supply chain bottlenecks, and shifting consumer behavior ripple through every link of the global network.

From record layoffs in retail to volatility in Mexican cross-border shipments, the industry is feeling the heat. And port operators, warehouse managers, and transportation carriers alike are having to adapt to rapid changes in container flows, tariff impacts, and regulatory shifts.

We have unpacked the critical developments around the freight world, each reflecting the delicate balance between capacity, demand, and regulation that supply chain leaders must navigate. Continue reading to find out more.

Tariff Volatility Fuels Cross-Border Freight Swings

U.S. shippers face erratic cross-border freight flows from Mexico as tariff uncertainties continue to disrupt their logistics and supply chain planning. According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, U.S.-bound truck crossings rose 10.2% in January, fell 6.3% in February, spiked 12% in March, and dropped again by 4.5% in April.

Averitt’s Edward Habe attributes this volatility to shippers’ attempts to beat tariff deadlines and navigate unpredictable trade announcements. Although a 25% tariff applies only to goods outside USMCA rules of origin, shippers remain cautious.

At Eagle Pass, Texas, beer demand drove a 49.2% year-over-year surge in northbound trucks in Q1, and a considerable part of this was because of Constellation Brands’ Modelo shipments. Meanwhile, Otay Mesa’s volume plummeted 34.9% due to tariffs on Chinese and Southeast Asian imports, which impacted Mexican assembly plants.

Key crossings like Laredo and El Paso posted modest declines, while Nogales, Arizona, saw a 4.4% gain. Experts have cautioned that cross-border trade will remain turbulent as long as tariffs fluctuate, making forecasting and operational planning challenging.

Chassis Providers Mobilize for Import Surge

With U.S. ports bracing for an influx of Chinese imports, America’s largest marine chassis providers — TRAC Intermodal, DCLI, and FlexiVan — are pulling tens of thousands of units from storage, inspecting, and repositioning them to key inland hubs like Chicago, Dallas, and Memphis.

TRAC’s Val Noel said, “It could be like a tsunami,” as companies aim to avoid service disruptions. TRAC and DCLI are working closely with BNSF and Union Pacific to anticipate container volumes. FlexiVan, exiting Southern California’s Pool of Pools, is focusing on core partner Ocean Network Express and opened a new chassis pool at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.

Logistics providers say it takes weeks to inspect and repair stored chassis, a process they have accelerated since learning lessons during the pandemic. Private chassis pools and railroad container management have improved since the COVID-19 pandemic, reducing pressure on public chassis pools.

However, with a surge expected this summer, providers are racing to ensure sufficient capacity and avoid bottlenecks that plagued past import booms.

Forecast Points to Port Volatility Ahead

U.S. retailers are anticipating a temporary surge in port activity this summer, driven by the 90-day U.S.-China tariff pause that slashed rates on Chinese goods from 145% to 30%.

According to the National Retail Federation’s Global Port Tracker, this pause has prompted a rush to restock, with volumes rebounding in June to an estimated 2.01 million TEUs, despite being down 6.2% year over year. However, April’s peak at 2.21 million TEUs was short-lived, with May volumes projected to drop to 1.91 million TEUs, the lowest since December 2023.

Retailers are also front-loading back-to-school and winter holiday orders, creating an unusual overlap of peak seasons. Yet, forecasts for September and October show sharp declines of 21.8% and 19.8%, respectively.

With port labor strikes and tariff policy swings in play, importers face a turbulent second half of 2025, highlighting the challenges of managing global supply chains in an unpredictable trade environment.

Tariff Whiplash Sparks Supply Chain Disruptions

April saw the largest recorded monthly drop in the U.S. trade deficit, driven by a 16% import plunge after a tariff-driven order surge. The numbers highlight a troubling supply chain crunch. Data shows warehouse inventories are bloated while replenishment orders stall, widening the gap between inventory levels and costs to 26.8 points, the third highest on record.

With storage fees still climbing, small businesses are particularly squeezed, says Colorado State’s Zachary Rogers. Freight rates on the China-U.S. route spiked 88%, with container spot rates expected to peak in June before easing.

Flexport’s Ryan Petersen warns that stacked tariffs (some containers face 70% total duties) add layers of uncertainty. Smaller logistics providers, representing the “middle mile,” are hit hardest as large players hoard capacity.

C.H. Robinson and Flexport offer tech solutions that help with tariff simulation, but July’s potential tariff increase continues to add uncertainty. The bottom line is that small and mid-tier firms bear the brunt of tariff swings, threatening their viability in an increasingly volatile trade environment.

LTL Market Faces Soft Demand as Tonnage Declines

Tonnage fell in May for multiple carriers. According to initial reports from Old Dominion Freight Line, Saia, and XPO, sluggish demand persisted in the market. LTL tonnage per day and shipments for these firms all declined compared to a year ago.

However, the severity of the drops varied, with Old Dominion hit the hardest and Saia receding the least among the group. In contrast, ArcBest’s asset-based segment reported a 6% year-over-year increase in total tons per day for the month. That came as daily shipments were up 7% for May, “reflecting success in capturing new core business,” the company said.

Saia bucked the trend, growing LTL weight per shipment by 3% year over year in May. Manufacturing woes and the customer makeup of these carriers are affecting their tonnage and weight changes.

Experts say LTL carriers are navigating a low-demand environment by focusing on profitable lanes and contractual freight rather than chasing volume with pricing concessions.

Tariff-Driven Trade Shifts Threaten West Coast Ports

U.S. ports are navigating a shifting trade landscape as importers look to sidestep tariffs on Chinese goods, driving cargo diversification toward Southeast Asia and India. According to Larry Gross of Gross Transportation Consulting, the U.S. West Coast, which handled 57% of Chinese imports in 2024, is expected to lose the most as trade reroutes.

Chinese volumes accounted for 65% of West Coast port traffic, while only 27% and 8% went to the East and Gulf coasts, respectively. Southeast Asian imports already account for 32% of 2024 TEUs, offering some relief, but not enough to offset the decline from China.

When shippers pivot to India, the East Coast captures 86% of inbound freight, reinforcing its resilience. Additional shifts in supply chains, such as labor-related cargo diversions and closures of the Red Sea and Suez Canal, further complicate port planning.

Gross warns that the West Coast faces a “triple-barreled threat” of lower trade volumes, loss of diverted cargo to the East and Gulf coasts, and the erosion of Chinese import dominance.

Retail Layoffs Surge 274% Amid Tariffs, Economic Pessimism

U.S. retailers cut nearly 76,000 jobs in the first five months of 2025. A 274% surge over the same period in 2024, driven by tariffs, economic pessimism, and shifting consumer spending patterns.

According to Challenger, Gray & Christmas, retail ranked second in total job cuts, behind only government losses. May alone saw 11,483 layoffs in retail, up from 7,235 in April, reflecting industrywide struggles. Andrew Challenger, senior vice president at the firm, attributed the trend to tariffs, funding cuts, and economic headwinds that have forced companies to tighten budgets.

Major brands like Nike, Walmart, and Procter & Gamble announced significant layoffs in May, with Nike shifting responsibilities within its global tech team, Walmart trimming 1,500 positions in tech and operations, and P&G slashing 7,000 nonmanufacturing jobs, which is about 15% of its workforce.

Despite the cuts, overall U.S. employment grew by 139,000 in May, with the unemployment rate holding steady at 4.2%. Challenger noted that while some companies continue to hire, they do so cautiously, reflecting a challenging macroeconomic backdrop.

Experience Seamless Shipping with Entourage Freight Solutions

Entourage Freight Solutions believes in total transparency in the shipping process. That is why we invest in tech solutions that track every shipment extensively, monitor every driver, and extract every bit of efficiency without sacrificing quality.

Our state-of-the-art platform utilizes cloud-based GPS tracking to keep you informed, reroutes shipments on the fly to avoid delays, and even responds to real-time market changes to ensure you receive your shipment on time and as soon as possible.

Our Services

Full Truckload (FTL): When you need a truck all to yourself.
Less-Than-Truckload (LTL): Efficient solutions for multi-stop shipments or combining smaller loads to save on costs.
Refrigerated Trucking: Keeping your temperature-sensitive products fresh and safe.
Cross-Docking: Strategically located facilities in Shelby, Ohio, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Romulus, Michigan, for streamlined consolidation, storage, and distribution.

Ready to experience a new level of service and control in your freight shipping? Request a quote today to see how Entourage Freight Solutions can help with your freight movement and other supply chain needs.

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Trucking Rates Hold as Orders Plunge and Tariff Threats Continue

By Nick Terry • May 30, 2025

Explore seven not-to-miss stories from Trump’s tariff threat to trucking gaps and the unexpected plunge of trucking orders.

Supply Chains Consider Realignments Amid Tariffs and Trade Shifts

By Nick Terry • May 16, 2025

Supply chains in the U.S. are grappling with a complex mix of tariff pressures, declining freight volumes, and structural shifts in global sourcing. Export declines, container rate volatility, and the end of key trade exemptions are testing resilience across logistics networks. West Coast ports face significant volume drops, while e-commerce players scramble to overhaul fulfillment models. Meanwhile, heavy-haul operators warn of infrastructure gaps, and carriers struggle to maintain stable rates despite reduced demand. Retailers and manufacturers are front-loading cargo and diversifying supply chains where possible, but the broader freight economy continues to feel the weight of policy-driven disruption. This bimonthly newsletter edition looks at critical developments shaping how goods move across the U.S. and global markets as companies navigate an increasingly unpredictable trade landscape. Exports, Imports Plunge as Tariffs Hit Ag, Manufacturing Hard A nationwide export slump that has continued since the start of 2025 continues to deepen as tariffs and trade wars disrupt U.S. trade, hitting agriculture hard. Ports like Portland and Tacoma report that export volume has dropped to 51%, while imports plunged 43% week over week through April 28. Major agricultural exports such as soybeans, corn, and beef are among the hardest hit so far. Retailers across various industries are also facing a potential inventory shortage as freight experts project a 15% to 20% decline in imports sooner rather than later. Ocean carriers like Matson have already reported a 30% loss in their volumes and are increasingly uncertain when conditions will improve. Despite some manufacturers shifting sourcing to Vietnam, Thailand, and other countries, Michigan State’s Jason Miller warns that no alternatives can fully offset the 30-60% volume gap created by the tariff fallout. Shrinking China Cargo Share Signals US Employment Risks China’s share of U.S. port imports has declined sharply due to tariffs. In 2024, China accounted for 51% of Los Angeles cargo and 61% at Long Beach , and key retail categories, including toys, furniture, plastics, and electronics, depended heavily on Chinese imports. Following expert warnings that sourcing shifts to Southeast Asia cannot fully compensate for the 30-60% volume loss, there is enough reason for local employment around the most affected ports to be worried, as fewer imports equal fewer drayage drivers and warehouse workers, coupled with knock-on effects from less activity in general. E-Commerce Sellers Scramble as De Minimis Exemption Ends On May 2, the U.S. ended the de minimis exemption for goods from China and Hong Kong, subjecting shipments under $800 to a 145% tariff . In response to the move, Shein and Temu raised prices by 40% to 100%. The exemption facilitated 1.36 billion shipments in 2024. However, with the exemption scrapped, more than 80% of e-commerce executives say the change threatens their business viability. Brands like Kuru Footwear and ThirdLove are shifting inventory into U.S. warehouses or sourcing from Vietnam to limit tariff exposure. Smaller retailers face the toughest challenges as they restructure fulfillment models or pass costs to consumers. Many expect additional policy tightening that could further alter cross-border shipping practices. Heavy Loads at Risk as Freight Network Mapping Stalls The long-anticipated National Multimodal Freight Network (NMFN), aimed at mapping critical U.S. freight corridors, faces uncertainty under the Trump administration. The draft network covers 175,000 miles of transport routes and 205 ports and airports , but has stalled due to political changes. Oversized/overweight (OS/OW) carriers fear that vital infrastructure may be neglected without official designation. Though most states now offer automated permitting systems, challenges like rest area shortages and infrastructure unsuitable for large cargo remain. The Specialized Carriers & Rigging Association (SC&RA) urges federal-state coordination to maintain heavy-haul corridors essential for industrial projects. Delays in finalizing the NMFN may impact long-term logistics planning and investment. West Coast Ports Brace for Sharp Import Declines Ports including Los Angeles, Long Beach, and the Northwest Seaport Alliance anticipate a 35% to 38% decline in import volumes through June, driven by 59 blank sailings. Experts believe the impact could eliminate anywhere from 65,000 to 71,000 TEUs of weekly freight volumes in Southern California. Oakland and Seattle-Tacoma also are seeing rising blank sailings, while Vancouver remains largely unaffected due to its focus on Canadian trade. The ILWU criticized the tariffs, citing risks to supply chain employment. Terminal operators are reducing gate hours in response to falling volumes. Industry leaders expect further disruption if tariffs remain in place, potentially impacting West Coast port employment and capacity utilization. Trump Holds Firm on Canadian Tariffs President Trump confirmed that no immediate tariff relief is forthcoming for Canada, despite recent talks with Prime Minister Mark Carney. Canada faces 25% tariffs on general imports, 10% on energy and potash, and additional duties on auto parts, steel, and aluminum . Some goods under USMCA remain exempt. Carney emphasized Canada’s trade integration with the U.S., noting that 50% of Canadian-assembled cars contain U.S. parts. Trump maintained that tariffs are essential to protect U.S. manufacturing, especially the automotive sector. As automakers navigate rising costs and supply chain challenges, both nations continue discussing potential trade agreement revisions , though no policy changes are imminent. Asia-US Ocean Freight Rates Hold Steady Container spot rates from Asia to the U.S. West and East coasts have held flat since mid-April at $2,790 and $3,830 per FEU, respectively, according to Xeneta. Rates are down 52% and 44% year to date , despite an April 1 spike. More than 40 blank sailings to the West Coast and 20 to the East Coast have offset reduced demand driven by 145% tariffs. Trans-Pacific capacity cuts are expected to reach 28% for the West Coast and 42% for the East Coast. Shippers front-loaded cargo before tariff hikes, temporarily boosting Q1 volumes. Xeneta’s Peter Sand cautioned that the rate plateau is likely temporary unless demand rebounds or tariffs ease, with further declines possible in the second half of 2025. Entourage Freight Solutions: Calm Shipping Amid the Tariff and Trade Storm Entourage Freight Solutions believes in total transparency in the shipping process. That is why we invest in tech solutions that track every shipment extensively, monitor every driver, and extract every bit of efficiency without sacrificing quality. Our state-of-the-art platform utilizes cloud-based GPS tracking to keep you informed, reroutes shipments on the fly to avoid delays, and even responds to real-time market changes to ensure you receive your shipment on time and as soon as possible. Our Services Full Truckload (FTL): When you need a truck all to yourself. Less Than Truckload (LTL): Efficient solutions for multi-stop shipments or combining smaller loads to save on costs. Refrigerated Trucking: Keeping your temperature-sensitive products fresh and safe. Cross Docking: Strategically located facilities in Shelby, Ohio, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Romulus, Michigan, for streamlined consolidation, storage, and distribution. Ready to experience a new level of service and control in your freight shipping? Request a quote today to see how Entourage Freight Solutions can help with your freight movement and other supply chain needs.

Tariffs, Trade Policy, and the Great Freight Fallout

By Nick Terry • April 28, 2025

In 2025, trade policy is no longer something that the freight industry can leave on the back burner. Trade policy today is shaping strategy at every level. From tariff escalations and retaliatory duties to sweeping regulatory changes and targeted maritime fees, supply chain leaders are navigating a freight market in which unpredictability is the only constant. Sourcing decisions are shifting, pricing dynamics are unstable, and long-standing operational models are being rewritten in real time. This edition brings together key stories highlighting the growing pressure across logistics channels. Each development points to an industry moving fast, and often reactively, to keep pace with volatile policy decisions. Tariffs Stall US Freight Recovery as Shippers Pause Orders The recent move by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to impose entrance fees on Chinese-built ships calling U.S. ports has only added to the confusion and uncertainty gripping global supply chains and freight operations. Shippers are pausing plans and slashing orders, with truckload volumes, containerized imports, and manufacturing output all showing signs of contraction. Ocean freight spot rates have collapsed: Asia-U.S. West Coast rates have fallen 61% since January to $2,050 per FEU, while East Coast rates have dropped 53.7% to $3,100 per FEU . Blank sailings are rising, with vessels leaving Asia half-empty. Amazon and Five Below are among the major retailers reducing orders from Asia. Container imports jumped 15.3% in 2024, but forecasts now predict a 20-27% decline through the summer. Exporters, particularly agriculture and forestry suppliers, are also squeezed, facing 125% retaliatory tariffs from China. Truckload and intermodal rates remain stagnant, while U.S. factory output fell sharply in March. US Apparel Importers Brace for Long-Term Volume Declines According to Trade Partnership Worldwide, a 124.1% tariff on Chinese clothing and footwear is expected to reduce U.S. apparel imports by 1.6% annually . China still accounts for 41.7% of apparel shipments, leaving limited flexibility for diversion. The American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA) is warning of price hikes and mounting infrastructure stress as sourcing pivots toward Vietnam, India, and Indonesia. A looming May 2 deadline for de minimis exemptions could further complicate flows and delay deliveries. Even with a temporary 90-day pause in reciprocal tariffs, the policy uncertainty already affects long-term planning. AAFA CEO Steve Lamar calls the shifting policies “chaotic,” and warned that high tariff pressure will hit both importers and U.S. manufacturers reliant on Chinese components. Port and rail capacity limitations at larger gateways are adding to concerns. Retailers now face rising costs, shrinking margins, and operational delays — all while consumer demand continues to shift rapidly. Freight Pricing Gains Lose Momentum According to the TD Cowen/AFS Freight Index, Q1 truckload rates rose 5.9% above the 2018 baseline, but are expected to decline slightly in Q2. Shippers are responding to tariff threats with aggressive front-loading and shorter-haul routes, driving per-shipment costs to three-year lows. LTL carriers remain focused on profitable lanes and high-quality freight rather than chasing volume. The index forecasts a 0.7% year-over-year increase in LTL rate per pound for Q2 , despite sustained demand softness and macro uncertainty. A key driver behind the softening spot market conditions is a shift to shorter hauls and regionalized distribution, pushing per-shipment costs to their lowest point in more than three years. This trend reflects how retailers and manufacturers are repositioning inventory in response to tariff volatility, as NRF’s Jonathan Gold and DAT analyst Dean Croke noted. Meanwhile, the LTL sector is seeing a 4% rise in fuel surcharges, offsetting lower weights and shorter hauls. With the freight market still under pressure after 26 months of contraction, optimism remains subdued as we enter the midyear period. US Truckload Freight Spot Rates Continue to Fluctuate National benchmark rates have experienced a decline across all categories. As of April 18, dry van decreased by 4 cents to $1.62, reefer by 2 cents to $1.88 , and flatbed by 3 cents to $2.16. This marked the first overall decrease since late January, signaling potential shifts in market dynamics. These changes can be attributed to factors such as tariff uncertainties and tighter capacity, especially affecting the flatbed market. Flatbed rates rely heavily on manufacturing activity in the country, which has been particularly hard-hit by the ongoing trade war with China, and to some extent, with the rest of the world. US Finalizes Tiered Fee Plan Targeting Chinese Ships The U.S. is moving forward with a revised plan to levy voyage-based fees on Chinese-owned and Chinese-built ships calling at American ports. The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announced the measure as part of a broader Trump administration effort to counter China’s dominance in shipbuilding and logistics while reigniting domestic ship construction and port infrastructure investment. Starting in six months, Chinese operators will be charged $50 per net ton, with an annual increase of $30 for three years . Non-Chinese carriers using Chinese-built vessels will face lower rates, beginning at $18 per ton or $120 per container, with annual increases. The USTR capped fee applications at five voyages per vessel annually, scaling back its original, more punitive per-port-call proposal after intense industry pushback. The fees are tied to findings from a USTR investigation, which concluded that China’s shipbuilding dominance — producing 29% of global fleet capacity and 70% of all container ships on order — stemmed from unfair trade practices. Exemptions apply to ships arriving empty, those in the Great Lakes or U.S. territories, and some bulk exports. LNG vessel transport restrictions will phase in over 22 years to support U.S. production. China’s largest container carrier, Cosco Shipping Lines, has sharply criticized the USTR’s plan. In a strongly worded statement, Cosco labeled the move as “discriminatory,” and warned it would disrupt global industrial and supply chain stability. Cosco denied allegations from that USTR investigation that claimed China manipulated its shipping and shipbuilding sectors to gain an unfair advantage. The carrier said it upholds “integrity, transparency, and compliance” in global competition and remains committed to ensuring the resilience of international trade. Walmart Investing $6B in Mexico, Central America Store Expansion Walmart of Mexico and Central America will invest $6 billion to open new stores across the region , reinforcing its long-term commitment to growth in Latin America. The expansion will include Bodega Aurrera, Walmart Supercenters, Sam’s Club, and Walmart Express formats, building on a robust network of 3,200 stores across all 32 Mexican states. This latest move echoes Walmart’s earlier $1.3 billion investment in 2016 for regional distribution and operational upgrades. The retailer entered the Mexican market in 1991 with a Sam’s Club in Mexico City. In a statement, Walmart said the new expansion reflects confidence in the region’s economic potential and consumer demand. Globally, Walmart continues to invest aggressively in infrastructure and store development. The company has pledged about $4.5 billion for its Canadian operations and $1.3 billion in Chile to build 70 new stores and a distribution center. In the U.S., Walmart is executing a five-year plan to build or convert more than 150 stores while modernizing 650 existing locations under its “Store of the Future” initiative. Experience Seamless Shipping with Entourage Freight Solutions Entourage Freight Solutions believes in total transparency in the shipping process. That is why we invest in tech solutions that track every shipment extensively, monitor every driver, and extract every bit of efficiency without sacrificing quality. Our state-of-the-art platform utilizes cloud-based GPS tracking to keep you informed, reroutes shipments on the fly to avoid delays, and even responds to real-time market changes to ensure you receive your shipment on time and as soon as possible. Our Services Full Truck Load (FTL): When you need a truck all to yourself. Less-Than-Truckload (LTL): Efficient solutions for multi-stop shipments or combining smaller loads to save on costs. Refrigerated Trucking: Keeping your temperature-sensitive products fresh and safe. Cross-Docking: Strategically located facilities in Shelby, Ohio, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Romulus, Michigan, for streamlined consolidation, storage, and distribution. Ready to experience a new level of service and control in your freight shipping? Request a quote today to see how Entourage Freight Solutions can help with your freight movement and other supply chain needs.