2025 has had a crazy, eventful start!
Where do we start? We started off the year by avoiding another port strike that would have taken place January 16th. We had a new president that took office the following week. Many tariffs have started or will start in the upcoming weeks.
Will big project moves be put on hold? Sometimes projects are planned for six plus months, with some exceeding 24 months. Will the tariffs delay some to hold off to see if things might change in the upcoming months?
Tariffs
How will the tariffs affect truckers that carry goods over the border? Could we expect a decrease in freight volume due to the tariffs? This could be rough on some drivers with less loads in certain areas.
As a company driver, I was paid per mile. I have had loads that were assigned to take freight that was going to cross the border. I would make my delivery to the warehouse where I would drop my loaded trailer and grab an empty trailer. Then, I would find out I wouldn’t have another load to pick up for a day or two. Of course, there is freight that I can pick up other places but that would require a lot of deadhead miles. So, I would sit to wait for my next pick up. Keep in mind that if the truck is not moving, I am not getting paid.
So, this could affect rates and impact truckers moving freight to certain areas.
What Comes Next
It’s only the beginning of February and we still have eleven more months. How will Canada and Mexico take the tariffs? Will we see gas prices go up drastically? Will the Gulf of Mexico truly become the Gulf of America? There are so many questions that could be asked in early 2025. This will for sure be an unpredictable and eventful year.
