Transport Topics

Poll: Canadians to Ditch US Travel Over Tariffs, State Jabs - TT Most Canadians say they plan to shun U.S. travel this summer as the trade war between the two countries continues, according to a poll by Leger Marketing.

Only 10% of Canadians plan to travel to the U.S. this summer, down from 23% last year.

Herc Rentals Closes $3.9 Billion Merger With H&E - TT “The acquisition of H&E accelerates Herc’s proven strategy and strengthens our position as a premier rental company in North America,” said Herc CEO Larry Silber.

Following the deal, Herc will have 613 locations across North America, up from 450 locations prior to the H&E Rentals acquisition.

Dutch Firm NewCold to Open Storage Site Near Port of Baltimore - TT Maryland Gov. Wes Moore announced that Dutch company NewCold will spend $275 million on a high-tech storage facility near the Port of Baltimore that is expected to create about 150 jobs.

Location for Temperature-Controlled Facility Chosen for Proximity to East Coast Supply Chain. Story via Noel Fletcher.

EV Truck Maker Bollinger Motors Restructures With New CEO - TT Electric truck maker Bollinger Motors will live on after it emerged from receivership with a new CEO and ownership structure.

Electric truck maker Bollinger Motors will live on after it emerged from receivership this week.

Japan, US Start Tariff Talks Amid Reports on Cars - TT Japan and the U.S. have begun trade negotiations, with media reports suggesting Tokyo’s delegation is trying to win a reprieve from the tariffs by pledging to make more cars in the U.S.

Rare earths are also included in the talks.

Hiring Slows, but Solid 139,000 Jobs Added in May - TT U.S. employers slowed hiring last month, but still added a solid 139,000 jobs amid uncertainty over President Donald Trump’s trade wars.

Trump’s sweeping taxes on imports have muddied the outlook for the economy and the job market.

Tesla Plunges After Trump-Musk Conflict Erupts - TT Tesla's shares sank as Elon Musk and President Donald Trump’s simmering feud devolved into a public war of words between two of the world’s most powerful people.

President Trump "disappointed" in Elon Musk's criticism of his tax policy bill; Tesla CEO says that without him, Trump would've lost the election.

Walmart Enhances Drone Delivery in Attempt to Speed Up Orders - TT Walmart is adding drone delivery in five new cities in a bid to expand online sales and get goods to shoppers faster.

Walmart's online business is expected to turn a profit for the first time in 2025 after it has poured billions into the segment to compete with the likes of Amazon.

US Steel Deal With Nippon Seen Closing by Merger Deadline - TT Nippon Steel and United States Steel are on pace to finalize their $14.1 billion combination with President Donald Trump’s administration ahead of a deal deadline later this month.

Deadline is June 18; U.S. Steel-Nippon Steel merger would make combo world's second-largest steel producer.

CVSA to Enforce English Tests for Truck Drivers Starting June 25 - TT CVSA inspectors on June 25 will begin issuing out-of-service violations for truckers unable to pass roadside tests for communicating in English and understanding road signs.

Roadside inspectors to determine language proficiency, understanding of highway signs. Story by Noel Fletcher.

PHMSA Asks Stakeholders to Streamline Existing Regulations - TT The Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration is asking stakeholders to assess ways the agency can optimize efficiencies.

Feedback must be received by the agency by Aug. 4. Story by Eric Miller.

United Road CEO Kraft’s Adventure Continues at Home - TT “As opportunities arose … I was there to help and solve problems, and that led to where I am today,” Ryan Kraft said. He replaces Mark Anderson as United Road CEO.

United Road Services has been the largest auto hauler in the U.S. for much of the 21st century, and new CEO Ryan Kraft intends to make sure that doesn’t change.

Cargo Theft Gets More Sophisticated, Experts Warn - TT The trucking industry continues to confront an evolving cargo theft landscape, with experts signaling the spread of more sophisticated operations during the first quarter.

“We’ve seen [an] increase in fraud and fraud attempts.” Story by Connor D. Wolf

EU Launches Tool to Monitor Trade Diversion From Tariffs - TT The European Commission has launched a surveillance tool to monitor any trade diversion resulting from U.S. tariffs, as initial results revealed a surge of imports in many goods.

Initial results revealed a surge of imports in many goods.

Used Truck Sales Increase for Second Straight Month in April - TT Used Class 8 truck sales increased on a year-over-year basis in April, while prices once again declined, with market conditions continuing to be slower, ACT Research reported.

April used Class 8 truck sales up 3.5% year over year and 4.4% from March, according to ACT Research. By @connorinthenews.bsky.social

Truck Orders See Surprise Sequential Rise, Still Trail 2024 - TT North American Class 8 truck orders continued to trend below the previous year but did see a surprise sequential improvement during May, according to ACT Research.

After hitting 59-month lows in April, Class 8 orders rebounded in May — but still fell short of last year’s levels.

Trump Says US and China Will Resume Trade Talks - TT President Donald Trump said his conversation with Chinese leader Xi Jinping had a “very positive conclusion” on June 5, announcing that the two countries will hold trade talks.

It was the first call between Trump and Xi since Trump took office for his second term more than four months ago.

Procter & Gamble to Cut Up to 7,000 Jobs - TT Procter & Gamble will cut up to 7,000 jobs over the next two years as the maker of Tide and Pampers wrestles with tariff-related costs and customers who have grown anxious about the economy.

Company wrestles with tariff-related costs and customers who have grown anxious about the economy.

Ram Brings Back Hemi V8 Engine in Bid to Reclaim Lost Sales - TT Ram is putting the Hemi V8 engine back in its light-duty pickup trucks, part of a blitz of changes from brand head Tim Kuniskis to claw back lost share in the hyper-competitive truck market.

For the 2026 model year, customers will be able to opt for the louder 5.7-liter Hemi V8 engine for an extra $1,200.

US Trade Deficit Narrows by Most on Record as Imports Plunge - TT The U.S. trade deficit narrowed in April by the most on record on the largest-ever plunge in imports, illustrating an abrupt end to the massive front-loading of goods by some companies.

The massive front-loading of goods by some companies ahead of higher tariffs came to an abrupt end.

Trump Speaks With Xi Amid Stalled Tariff Talks - TT President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, have spoken amid stalled negotiations between both countries over tariffs that have roiled global trade.

Trade negotiations between the United States and China stalled shortly after a May 12 agreement between both countries to reduce their tariff rates in order to have talks.

Mercedes, BMW, Others Step Up Response to China Export Curbs - TT Automakers in the U.S. and Europe raised concerns about China’s export controls on rare earth metals, as Beijing’s move threatens to disrupt global car production.

Ford says it's taking longer for some parts to get through China's approval process, while Rivian educates the Trump administration on the complexity of supply chains.

Trump Gets Tentative Win From CBO Tax and Tariff Estimates - TT The CBO handed Republicans a major political talking point, with projections showing the possibility for tariffs to bring in more federal revenue than would be lost by Trump's tax cut plan.

In temporary Trump win, CBO projections show possibility for tariffs to bring in more federal revenue than would be lost by tax cut plan — with caveats.

Canada Prime Minister Carney Holds Back on Tariff Retaliation - TT Prime Minister Mark Carney said Canada and the U.S. are in “intensive” talks about the countries’ relationship, explaining his decision not to respond yet to doubled steel and aluminum tariffs.

But if the negotiations with the U.S. fail, the government plans to retaliate, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said in the House of Commons.

Fleet Margins Set to Shrink Again in 2025, CSCMP Finds - TT Tariffs introduced by the Trump administration, and the consequent aversion to risk, are a major reason why there is no clear trajectory for recovery, the study’s authors warned.

New tariffs and rising costs are clouding the outlook for the freight industry in 2025, with diminishing hope for rate recovery.

Daimler Truck Financial Services Selects North Carolina HQ - TT The financial lender for Daimler Truck North America will establish its headquarters in North Carolina with a $7.8 million investment that will add 276 jobs in Charlotte.

Daimler Truck North America's financial lender invests $7.8 Million to consolidate Michigan, Texas offices at Charlotte. by Noël-Marie Fletcher

Mexico Will Ask US Government for Steel Tariff Exemption - TT Mexico will ask President Donald Trump’s administration on June 6 to be exempted from an increase in steel tariffs to 50%, the country’s economy minister said.

Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard will travel to Washington on Friday for talks with U.S. officials.

Senate Panel Advances Moving Industry Freight Fraud Bill - TT Bipartisan legislation seeking to enhance consumer protections in the moving industry was recently approved by a Senate committee.

Senate Commerce Committee shows bipartisan support measure meant to protect the moving industry. American Trucking Associations' Moving and Storage Conference applauded the bill.

UK Gets Reprieve on Steel Tariff - TT The U.K.has a new five-week deadline to finalize its trade agreement with the U.S. after President Donald Trump spared the country’s steel and aluminum exports from a doubling of tariffs.

But a U.S.-imposed five-week deadline ramps up the pressure on British trade negotiators.

Hiring Cools to Slowest Pace in Two Years, ADP Data Shows - TT Hiring decelerated to the slowest pace in two years as sectors including transportation shed jobs, pointing to a weakened demand for workers.

“After a strong start to the year, hiring is losing momentum.”