North American freight markets are facing renewed turbulence with trade policies, import patterns, and capacity imbalances. From Washington’s heightened tariff threats to shrinking carrier rosters and rising inland rates, supply chains are once again navigating uncertainty. 

Trump Threatens 100% Tariffs on Chinese Imports 

President Donald Trump’s announcement of potential 100% tariffs on all Chinese imports by November 1 has injected fresh volatility into global supply chains. The move, a response to China’s new export restrictions on rare earth materials, could disrupt roughly 40% of U.S. inbound freight. 

Analysts are warning of cascading impacts, including blank sailings, idle capacity, and price swings, as importers scramble for alternatives in Mexico, India, and Southeast Asia.

C.H. Robinson’s Ben Bidwell urged shippers to stay ahead of policy shifts by diversifying sourcing and utilizing bonded warehouses. 

Truck Capacity Tightens Across Inland Freight Hubs

Lower import volumes are tightening truckload capacity across key U.S. inland hubs, which in turn is lifting spot rates as the fall shipping season ramps up. DAT Freight & Analytics reported national dry van rates rising to $1.70 per mile in early October, with the Midwest averaging $1.92, 22 cents higher than the national average.

Analyst Dean Croke said capacity dislocation stems from fewer containers arriving at ports, resulting in fewer trucks for return hauls. Spot rates from Stockton to Los Angeles jumped 33% year over year to $2.45 per mile, while Las Vegas-Los Angeles lanes climbed to $2.15. With imports projected to remain below 2 million TEUs through winter, inland trucking networks may need months to stabilize.

Tariffs Deepen Downturn as Class 8 Truck Orders Fall 44%

According to preliminary data from ACT Research, heavy-duty truck demand weakened further in September, with Class 8 orders dropping 44% year over year to 20,800 units. Despite a monthly uptick, the market remains weighed down by low freight rates and prolonged softness in for-hire trucking.

Volvo Trucks North America’s Magnus Koeck said fleets are delaying purchases amid uncertainty over tariffs and new emission rules, which is causing older equipment to remain in service longer. FTR Transportation Intelligence recorded a similar 41% decline to 20,500 orders, marking the ninth consecutive monthly shortfall. 

Analyst Dan Moyer warned that Trump’s 25% tariff on imported heavy-duty trucks, now delayed until November 1, could further inflate prices and exacerbate the industry’s supply chain challenges.

Carrier Exits Outpace Entries as Trucking Capacity Tightens   

Trucking Dive’s review of FMCSA filings showed more carriers exited the market than entered during Q3, with September marking the lowest level of new operating authority since February. FTR’s Avery Vise noted that while the imbalance reflects structural strain, it doesn’t yet signal a market rebound.

Michigan State’s Jason Miller said employment data suggests capacity has fallen back to 2018 levels, with trucking payrolls down 3.1% year over year to about 505,000. However, he cautioned that “we remain far from the threshold where the market shifts in carriers’ favor.” 

Despite the exits, small fleets still employ nearly 40% more drivers than before the pandemic, leaving an enduring capacity overhang.

Connectivity Central to Fixing Appointment Scheduling

Industry fragmentation continues to impede efficient truckload scheduling, but new software designed to connect shippers, carriers, and brokers is closing that gap. At the Journal of Commerce’s Inland Distribution Conference, Qued’s Tom Curee said that improved system connectivity, rather than ownership, drives progress.

Capstone Logistics’ Tony Botos reported more than $1 million in labor savings after adopting scheduling software that integrated transport and warehouse systems. Vooma’s Jesse Buckingham highlighted how smarter scheduling can protect broker margins and driver utilization. Vendors are now prioritizing shipment-based appointment logic over first-come, first-served practices, while Bigger Picture CEO Deema Adama said performance tracking allows warehouses to align labor with real freight flow.

Entourage Freight Solutions: 3PL Value Beyond Service

By strategically partnering with EFS, you can ensure better planning, more stable service, and faster fixes when storms strike. Entourage Freight Solutions leverages our deep expertise in foodservice logistics to deliver high service levels and meticulous attention to detail for all your freight operations. Every load, whether shelf stable or perishable, receives the same precision handling. Connect with us today.