🎣 $1B Warning Shot

TGIF. GM says tariffs cost them $1.1 billion in Q2 alone, sending profits down and warning that the pain is far from over. In today’s feature, we break down the State of Play on Global Trade, from GM’s losses to new Trump deals in Asia to rising EU tension.

Plus,

• 🧾 TIA Fights Against Rate Mandate
• 🚛 FMCSA Drops Speed Limiter Rule
• 💊 156 lbs Fentanyl Seized in SC
• ... and more.

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🍳 WHAT’S COOKIN’ IN FREIGHT

🧾 TIA Opposes Broker Rate Transparency Mandate, Warns of Industry Fallout. The Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA) is pushing back against a proposed broker rate transparency mandate, calling it a threat to small businesses and market dynamics. “This isn’t about protecting truckers—it’s about handing private business information to competitors,” said TIA President Chris Burroughs. The proposal, backed by OOIDA, would require disclosure of shipper-broker pricing. TIA argues it risks raising consumer costs, overburdening small brokers, and setting a dangerous precedent. “Will General Motors be forced to disclose what it pays for steel?” Burroughs asked. TIA is hoping lawmakers will target fraud, not legitimate operators.

🚛 FMCSA Withdraws Speed Limiter Rule After Pushback. The FMCSA has officially scrapped its proposed speed limiter mandate for heavy-duty trucks, citing insufficient safety data and broad opposition. “This is the end of a deeply flawed proposal that would have hurt truckers,” said OOIDA EVP Lewie Pugh. The rule would have required trucks with ECUs to maintain federally set speed limits. Of 15,600 public comments, over 15,000 opposed the mandate. OOIDA credited the rollback to strong industry advocacy and Trump administration support. Without a federal limit, carriers and states remain free to set their own standards, though future policy shifts remain possible.

💊 Record Fentanyl Seizure from Semi Truck in South Carolina. Federal agents seized 156 pounds of fentanyl, the largest haul in South Carolina history, during a July 1 traffic stop involving a commercial semi truck. Two California brothers, Alberto Rios-Landeros (26) and Chris Guadalupe Rios-Landeros (23) of Delano, CA, were indicted on federal drug charges and both are facing life sentences if convicted. Authorities also uncovered 44 pounds of methamphetamine in the trailer, which was transporting legitimate goods. “This isn’t just a drug bust; it’s a life-saving intervention,” said U.S. Attorney Bryan Stirling.

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A $1 Billion Warning Shot for Global Freight

This week, the abstract concept of trade policy was translated into a hard number.

In its Q2 earnings report, General Motors disclosed a $1 billion impact attributed to the higher costs of steel, aluminum, and other components affected by recent tariffs.

The company’s stock slid 8% Tuesday as CEO Mary Barra acknowledged the impact of raw material and parts tariffs that have remained stubbornly in place through 2025.

GM expects more pain in Q3, but hopes to offset 30% through production shifts and cost controls.

And GM isn’t alone. Deals are getting cut, threats are escalating, and the freight industry is in the blast radius.

Ground Zero: GM’s Billion-Dollar Blow

• GM attributed its earnings drag directly to tariffs on steel, aluminum, and parts, especially those from China and Mexico.
• “It’s our supply chain that’s absorbing the shock,” a GM executive told Reuters. That means fewer high-margin vehicles and pressure on everyone down the line, including carriers and brokers.

A Patchwork of Policies:

The challenge for supply chain planners is the varied nature of current trade negotiations. This week highlighted two contrasting situations:

• A Step Toward Stability: Preliminary agreements were made with Japan, Indonesia, and the Philippines this week. These deals aim to secure more stable trade terms for key goods. The agreement with Japan, for example, eases pressure on the agricultural sector and pauses the implementation of potential auto tariffs.
• Lingering Uncertainty with the EU: On the other hand, the situation with the European Union remains a point of tension. The prospect of U.S. tariffs on European automobiles remains a significant concern for manufacturers on both sides of the Atlantic. This ongoing standoff means companies must plan for a future where costs could change dramatically, leaving a cloud of uncertainty over a major trade lane.

Why This Matters

"We are positioning the business for a profitable, long‑term future as we adapt to new trade and tax policies," GM said.

• Freight Lane Roulette: GM’s tariff-induced sourcing shifts may send freight away from traditional China lanes and toward Mexico, Vietnam, or Indonesia.
• Rate Squeeze Incoming: A billion-dollar tariff tab doesn’t come without consequences. Shippers will pressure brokers to absorb cost hits.
• Inventory Aftershocks: The chaotic tariff timelines have forced companies into “just-in-case” inventory strategies, leading to overstuffed warehouses and erratic shipment volumes.

These high-level developments create a series of real-world ripple effects that are being felt directly by shippers, carriers, and freight brokers.

The Bigger Picture

2025 has shown that tariff policy is no longer a background issue. It’s driving the freight narrative. GM’s billion-dollar gut punch is the clearest signal yet that trade rules are reshaping how, when, and where freight moves.

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🌎 AROUND THE FREIGHT WEB

📞 Freight Still Runs on Calls. Despite ongoing tech innovation, many freight transactions still depend on phone communication, according to Mladen Prisic. Lanesurf (YC S25) developed voice AI to help mid-sized brokers manage tens of thousands of monthly calls more efficiently.

🚔 Rig Theft Scheme Conviction. Juan D. Perez-Gonzalez, from FL, has been found guilty of leading an interstate cargo theft ring that stole big rigs loaded with electronics worth millions from southern Indiana. His five co-conspirators have already plead guilty to the same cargo theft scheme.

💼 Forward Air Buyout Interest. Private equity firms are submitting bids to acquire Forward Air, according to reports. The potential sale follows recent leadership shakeups and ongoing scrutiny of the company’s strategic direction.

📉 CSX Profit Decline. CSX reported lower Q2 profits, citing reduced revenue and increased operating costs. The railroad attributed the decline to softer shipping demand and inflationary pressures across its network.

🏛️ ATA Pushes for Parking, Tech. ATA President Chris Spear is calling upon the U.S. Senate to increase funding for truck parking and freight technology, calling both essential to safety, efficiency, and long-term supply chain resilience.

🎣 THE FREIGHT CAVIAR CORNER

• FreightCaviar Podcast: In this week's podcast, we interview Anes Balic, Director of Sales and Business Development at Balic Transport Inc. Anes shares how they built a trucking company out of one of the toughest outbound markets in the U.S. Catch it on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.
• Manifest 2026: FreightCaviar community, tap into massive savings on Manifest 2026. Get registered now and save $1100 on your attendance price. Click here for the deal.
• FreightJobs.co: HaulPay is looking for a remote Business Development Specialist. You can apply directly from our freight job board.
• Freight Broker Group Chat: Lost a load to a ghost MC? Just discovered a 15-layer carrier spoof ring? Come swap war stories, drop memes, and ask the stuff no one wants to post on LinkedIn. Join us on forum.freightcaviar.com

FREIGHT HUMOR