Trucking industry reacts to Trump tariffs, agriculture and middle class to be hit hardest

Feb 03, 2025 at 03:10 PM CST
With President Donald Trump already enacting tariffs, the trucking industry is responding. “As the trucking industry recovers from a years-long freight recession marked by low freight volumes, depressed rates, and rising operational costs, we have concern that tariffs could decrease freight volumes and increase costs for motor carriers at a time when the industry is just beginning to recover,” said Chris Spear, American Trucking Associations president and CEO. “A 25% tariff levied on Mexico could see the price of a new tractor increase by as much as $35,000. That is cost-prohibitive for many small carriers, and for larger fleets, it would add tens of millions of dollars in annual operating costs.” Spear noted that the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement was a major achievement of President Trump’s first administration. “The American Trucking Associations worked hand in glove with all three countries to reach this historic deal, and we look forward to doing so again during the USMCA review,” Spear said.

Feb 03, 2025 at 03:10 PM CST

With President Donald Trump already enacting tariffs, the trucking industry is responding.

“As the trucking industry recovers from a years-long freight recession marked by low freight volumes, depressed rates, and rising operational costs, we have concern that tariffs could decrease freight volumes and increase costs for motor carriers at a time when the industry is just beginning to recover,” said Chris Spear, American Trucking Associations president and CEO. “A 25% tariff levied on Mexico could see the price of a new tractor increase by as much as $35,000. That is cost-prohibitive for many small carriers, and for larger fleets, it would add tens of millions of dollars in annual operating costs.”

Spear noted that the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement was a major achievement of President Trump’s first administration.

“The American Trucking Associations worked hand in glove with all three countries to reach this historic deal, and we look forward to doing so again during the USMCA review,” Spear said.