In recent months, the logistics and freight industry in North America has felt the weight of shifting trade policy – most notably, the latest round of U.S. tariffs reintroduced under Trump’s economic agenda.
These new tariffs, particularly those targeting key imports from China (including EVs, batteries, and steel), have had a clear ripple effect:
🔻 Noticeable Dips in Freight Volume – especially in cross-border and port-related activity, as companies are hesitant to move high-duty goods or re-evaluate their sourcing strategies.
🔄 Reshoring and Nearshoring Pressure – with many U.S. and Canadian businesses accelerating moves to source from Mexico or domestic suppliers to avoid future tariff exposure.
📈 Increased Volatility in Carrier Demand – leaving freight brokers and logistics providers scrambling to adapt to fluctuating lane volumes and shifting trade corridors.
At Enzo Logistics, we’ve seen firsthand how these policy changes ripple through the supply chain. What was once a stable high-volume lane can suddenly dry up. Shippers are becoming more cost-sensitive and timeline-focused than ever, and flexibility is now the gold standard in freight brokerage.
In this environment, success depends not just on pricing, but on real-time adaptability, carrier relationships, and a deep understanding of cross-border trade dynamics. Tariff-induced slowdowns remind us how interconnected trade, policy, and transportation really are.
The big question: If tariffs continue to rise, how do we insulate our supply chains – and what role must brokers, 3PLs, and carriers play in leading that change?
