Unpause

Happy Hump Day. As the deadline grows closer to President Trump's planned tariffs against Mexico and Canada, leaders are scrambling to avoid facing the same fate as China, this and more details are in today's feature.

Plus:

• 🛑 Cargo Hijacking on the Rise

• 🚢 U.S. Dockworkers Lock in Deal, Avoid Strike

• 🍎 Apple’s $500B U.S. Expansion

• & More...

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🐔 WHAT’S COOKIN’ IN FREIGHT

🛑 Cargo Theft and Hijacking Risks in the U.S. Cargo theft in the U.S. slowed in January 2025 due to reduced economic activity, but incidents spiked in the fifth week and are expected to rise in February (with official stats to be released in March). Southern California remains the top hotspot, followed by Memphis, Chicago, Texas, and Pennsylvania. Furthermore, a recent hijacking pilferage in Chicago brings attention to rising violence in cargo thefts. Criminals blocked a truck at a railroad crossing and looted electronics in broad daylight. Notably, 39% of thefts occur between Monday and Tuesday. Regarding timing, 44% happen overnight and 31% in the afternoon.

🛳️ U.S. Dockworkers Secure Six-Year Contract, Averting Strike. Dockworkers on the U.S. East and Gulf coasts overwhelmingly approved a six-year contract, preventing a disruptive strike. The agreement, negotiated by the ILA and the U.S. Maritime Alliance, includes a 62% wage increase, raising top hourly pay from $39 to $63. It also limits automation, requiring new hires if technology is introduced. ILA President Harold Daggett called it the “gold standard” for global dockworker unions. The deal ensures labor stability through 2030, with formal signing expected in March. President Trump has long voiced his support for the union, stating before his inauguration, “The amount of money saved is nowhere near the distress, hurt, and harm it causes for American Workers, in this case, our Longshoremen.”

🍎 Apple’s $500 Billion U.S. Expansion. Apple is investing over $500 billion to expand its U.S. workforce, manufacturing, and AI development. The plan includes hiring 20,000 workers and building new facilities in Texas, Michigan, and other states. A new AI server factory in Houston and a manufacturing academy in Michigan will boost innovation and job training. Apple is also increasing its investment in TSMC’s Arizona chip plant and expanding data centers nationwide. In fact, Evan posted on X that Apple has confirmed mass production of its chips began last month at Taiwan Semiconductor’s Arizona plant. CEO Tim Cook emphasized that Apple is “bullish on the future of American innovation.” This initiative will create thousands of high-paying jobs while strengthening Apple’s AI and silicon engineering capabilities across the U.S.

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Unpause: Trump’s Tariffs on Canada & Mexico

President Donald Trump confirmed that his administration will move forward with 25% tariffs on most imports from Canada and Mexico, set to take effect on March 4. As the deadline looms, leaders scramble to mitigate the fallout while key industries brace for impact.

What’s Happening

• Trump: Tariffs are happening. "They will begin on time, on schedule," Trump said Monday.

• Canada & Mexico push back. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum is working to negotiate a deal, while Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly vows retaliation.

• Targeted goods: Oil, auto parts, electronics, and food imports will bear the brunt, affecting industries across the U.S.

Who’s Most at Risk?

Some states will feel the brunt of these tariffs more than others.

• Montana (92% of imports from Canada)

• New Mexico (77% of imports from Mexico & Canada)

• Texas & California (major auto and EV battery trade hubs)

“The truth is that there’s risk for any state in having too much of its trade involve a single product or a single trade partner...While this is something we know and is not breaking news, to see the state-by-state breakdown is really something.” – Matt Schulz, Chief Credit Analyst, LendingTree

 Industry impact:

• Oil: Montana and Oklahoma depend on Canadian crude.

• Auto & EV: Texas, Michigan, and California will see rising costs on vehicle parts.

  • Tesla: Expected to be hit hard due to its reliance on lithium-ion battery imports from China and trade with Mexico.

• Food & beverages: Mexico exports a significant portion of the U.S.’s beer, produce, and meat.

Mexico’s Strategy: Avoid the Tariffs

Mexico is considering tariffs on Chinese goods as a bargaining chip to appease the U.S.

• Sheinbaum: "We have to prioritize our commercial relationship with the U.S."

• Talks with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick continue as Mexico scrambles to avoid the March 4 deadline.

Canada’s Response: Prepare for a Trade War

• Joly: "We need to stand strong... Canadians will fight back."

• Canadian officials are weighing reciprocal tariffs if Trump follows through.

What FreightCaviar’s Poll Says

FreightCaviar surveyed industry professionals on Trump’s impact on freight, and the results were mixed. Here's a breakdown (at time of writing):

Instagram Poll Results (711):

• 30% say he hurt the market

• 12% say he helped

• 28% see no impact

• 30% think it’s too soon to tell

X Poll Results (167 Votes):

• 24% say he hurt

• 11.4% believe he helped

• 26.9% see no impact

• 37.7% think it’s too early to judge

Bottom Line: The tariffs are coming, barring a last-minute deal. Higher costs, retaliatory tariffs, and supply chain disruptions are on the horizon, leaving businesses and consumers bracing for impact.

Sources: CNBC | Reuters | FreightWaves | Transport Topics

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🌎 AROUND THE FREIGHT WEB

🧵 End of the Road. Joann Fabrics is shutting down all 800 stores after 84 years in business. This follows two bankruptcy filings last year. A going-out-of-business sale is imminent.

🚚 Uber Freight Struggles. Brittain Ladd recently posted on his LinkedIn about Uber Freight's struggles with losing customers, missing revenue targets, and facing leadership concerns. Layoffs continue, and a potential divestment of Transplace or Uber Freight is being considered.

⚖️ Another Nuclear Verdict. A Los Angeles jury awarded over $21 million after a food delivery truck rear-ended a woman and her son, causing severe injuries and multiple surgeries. The plaintiffs had sought to settle for under $7 million in April 2023.

🚛 TFI Cancels Move. TFI International has canceled plans to relocate its legal headquarters to the U.S. after facing opposition from shareholders, notably Caisse de Dépôt et Placement du Québec.

😲 Dragged for Miles. A truck driver inadvertently and unknowingly dragged a car for miles after an erratic teen driver collided with his vehicle. The 19-year-old victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

🅿️ Teaming Up. Former Truckstop Chief Relationship Officer Brent Hutto has joined the Trucking Parking Club to strengthen relationships with enterprise fleets. Hutto believes it’s the “right time” for parking applications to help solve industry issues.

📦 FedEx Removes Business. FedEx Corp. announced that bondholders approved removing its freight business from lending obligations, facilitating its spin-off into a separate company and easing debt-related constraints.

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