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Tune into this episode of the FreightWaves Morning Minute for crucial updates impacting the freight industry, including the recent doubling of tariffs on imported steel and aluminum. These duties now stand at 50%, effective Wednesday, aiming to bolster domestic metals manufacturing and shield American steel worker jobs. This move has prompted Canada to negotiate for tariff removal, while Mexico has denounced the hike as a violation of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). We also delve into the latest from LTL carrier XPO, which reported a modest 5.7% year-over-year decline in tonnage for May. This decline aligns with previous guidance and typical seasonality, as the industry continues to await an uptick in demand. The company's monthly declines show an improvement compared to the first quarter.  Additionally, the episode covers Descartes' significant announcement of a 7% workforce reduction, impacting approximately 200 jobs. This action is an expansion of an earlier restructuring plan, designed to manage the uncertainties facing the freight industry due to changing trade policies and volatile economic forecasts. Despite these challenges, Descartes reported a 12% year-over-year increase in revenue, although it fell short of wider market estimates for earnings per share.  Finally, we highlight upcoming FreightWaves TV events, including episodes of Freightonomics and The Long Haul. Mark your calendars for the Enterprise Fleet Summit on July 23rd and the Supply Chain AI Symposium on July 30th in Washington D.C., and be sure to register at live.freightwaves.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has revealed plans to cut its workforce by approximately 7%, eliminating 89 full-time and part-time positions primarily at its headquarters, while simultaneously requesting a slight increase in funding, bringing its total budget to over $1 billion for the next fiscal year.  The DOE benchmark diesel price has fallen to a milestone low, reaching its lowest point since September 2021, with the average weekly retail price now at $3.45 a gallon, marking a decline over seven of the past eight weeks. Despite this trend, futures prices moved up even after news that OPEC Plus would increase output, indicating a continued unwinding of their 2023 production cuts.  Furthermore, the labor dispute involving Canada Post continues to intensify after the state-owned corporation rejected a proposal for binding arbitration from the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW). This rejection prolongs uncertainty following the union's refusal to work overtime since May 23rd, which has already caused delivery slowdowns and a significant drop in Canada Post's parcel volumes, pushing e-commerce retailers to alternative carriers.  Looking ahead, FreightWaves is hosting several key events, including the Enterprise Fleet Summit on July 23rd. Additionally, the Supply Chain AI Symposium is scheduled for July 30th in Washington D.C., with opportunities for interested speakers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A significant drug trafficking seizure at the Port of Long Beach, where authorities intercepted 55 tons of dicumyl peroxide, a chemical used in methamphetamine production. This shipment, which originated in China and was destined for the Sinaloa drug cartel in Mexico, was confiscated as part of an ICE initiative launched in 2019 to target suspicious chemical precursor shipments.  The podcast also provides an update on Yellow Corp.'s asset liquidation process, noting the company has filed a motion in federal bankruptcy court to sell four of its terminals valued at $6.8 million. This action represents a further step toward winding down operations, with mostly non-logistics buyers showing interest in these property assets.  Additionally, the Trump administration's announcement of $5.4 billion available for major bridge projects across the United States is covered, including $4.9 billion for the Bridge Investment Program and an additional $500 million dedicated to rural bridge repairs. A key highlight of this program is the removal of previous Biden-era approval requirements related to climate change and environmental justice considerations, aiming to streamline the process for state and local governments involved in these critical infrastructure projects.  Finally, the episode reminds listeners about upcoming FreightWaves virtual events, including the Enterprise Summit on July 23rd and the Supply Chain AI Symposium coming up quickly on July 30th in Washington D.C.. Registration for these events can be completed by visiting live.frightwaves.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Trump has announced a doubling of tariffs on imported steel from 25% to 50% to protect domestic jobs and strengthen the industry. This move follows a previous tariff announcement and aims to ensure America's future is built with U.S.-produced steel rather than "shoddy steel from Shanghai". You can read more about the tariff increase here. We also discuss the ongoing labor dispute involving Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW). Canada Post has requested government intervention to hold a vote among unionized employees on its latest contract offer, highlighting the impasse in negotiations over wages and structural changes. The situation is a continuation of a conflict that included a nearly five-week strike last year. For more details on the Canada Post situation, see the article here. Additionally, we highlight executive changes and potential IPO plans at the autonomous freight technology company Einride. Founder Robert Falck is transitioning from CEO to executive chairman, while CFO Roozbeh Charll is taking over the CEO role with an eye toward a potential IPO in the U.S.. This leadership pivot is intended to capitalize on a favorable regulatory environment for autonomous vehicles and support future expansion and investment opportunities. Learn more about the changes at Einride by reading the article here. The episode also announced upcoming FreightWaves virtual events: the Enterprise Fleet Summit on July 23rd and the Supply Chain AI Symposium on July 30th in Washington D.C.. Information and registration for these events can be found at live.freightwaves.com. Please note that details about these specific event announcements are derived solely from the audio file and not from the provided article sources. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A federal appeals court has temporarily paused a ruling by the Court of International Trade that blocked tariffs enacted by President Trump. This decision follows the Trump administration's plans to seek intervention from the Supreme Court, arguing presidential authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.  In other news, Sport LA Inc., a California freight forwarding company, has been charged in a smuggling operation alleged to be worth billions of dollars. Executives Ralph Olarte and Humberto Lopez Belmonte face a 22-count indictment for an elaborate scheme exporting illegal goods from the U.S. to Mexico, allegedly employing fraudulent documentation, shell companies, bribes, and involvement with cartels since 2013. Meanwhile, Americold is strategically expanding into Canada with the groundbreaking of its first import-export hub in New Brunswick. This venture involves a substantial investment of $75 million to $80 million and is set to transform cold storage facilities at Port Saint John, partnering with DP World and Canadian Pacific Kansas City to streamline food flows across various regions and create up to 100 permanent jobs by 2029.  Looking ahead, be sure to catch FreightWaves TV shows like What the Truck?!? and Running on Ice today. Also, mark your calendars for upcoming events such as the Enterprise Fleet Summit and the Supply Chain AI symposium. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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There was a landmark decision by the U.S. Court of International Trade (CIT) striking down President Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs. This ruling unanimously deemed the sweeping tariffs unconstitutional, including significant levies on goods from China, Mexico, and Canada. Retail diesel prices have resumed their downward trend, with the Department of Energy/Energy Information Administration benchmark price falling by 4.9 cents. The average weekly retail diesel price is now $3.487 per gallon. In container shipping, rates from Asia to the United States have surged. This increase is occurring as shippers navigate the aftermath of a temporary easing in US-China tariffs, with "fear and uncertainty" driving prices up. Tune in for a new episode of The Long Haul and check out the Enterprise Fleet Summit and the Supply Chain AI Symposium. Get registered for events at live.freightwaves.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is proposing 18 rule changes aimed at simplifying regulatory compliance for truck drivers and motor carriers. These proposed rules, set for formal release on Friday with 60-day comment periods, include changes like removing CDL self-reporting requirements and adding new rules for railroad grade crossings. Crowdsourced delivery technology company Veho has initiated a pilot program in Austin, Texas, to test wheeled-legged parcel delivery robots for potentially boosting productivity in urban environments. Partnering with Rivr, the company backed by investors including Jeff Bezos, these robots are designed to handle diverse terrain, including stairs, for last-mile e-commerce deliveries. Carrier CMA CGM is partnering with Saigon Newport Corporation to build a new deepwater container terminal in Haiphong, northern Vietnam. This significant project, set to open in 2028, will add 1.9 million TEUs of capacity to help handle the sharp increase in container volumes in the region. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Supply chain software provider E2open is being acquired by Australian tech company WiseTech Global for $2.1 billion. This transaction, the result of a strategic review pushed by an activist investor, values E2open at $3.30 per share, a 28.4% premium over its closing price last Friday. The Canadian Union of Postal Workers implemented a nationwide overtime stoppage last Friday, averting a full strike after receiving a late contract offer from Canada Post. However, the threat of a strike has already damaged Canada Post’s parcel business, leading to anticipated delays and a sharp drop in volumes as customers seek alternative carriers. Aurora Innovation has decided to keep a person in the driver’s seat of its autonomous trucks temporarily at the request of OEM partner Paccar, due to certain prototype parts in the base vehicle platform. This observer will not operate the vehicle but will assist with timely recovery if needed, such as pulling over for events like a tire blowout or bad weather. Don’t forget about our upcoming FreightWaves events, including the Enterprise Fleet Summit on July 23rd and the Supply Chain AI Symposium on July 30th. You can register for these events, which are highlighted as opportunities not to miss, by visiting the live.freightwaves.com website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices