🎣 Snip, Snap!

TGIF. Trump’s tariffs were struck down in federal court, then quickly reinstated on appeal. Now, freight preps for the legal rollercoaster as peak season approaches. We break it all down in today's feature.

Plus:

• 🧾 USDOT Slashes 52 Outdated Rules
• 🚢 U.S. Ports Log Strong April
• 🛢️ Diesel Falls 5¢
• ... and more.

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🍳 WHAT’S COOKIN’ IN FREIGHT

🧾 USDOT to Eliminate 52 Outdated Regulations, Including 20 from FMCSA. The U.S. Department of Transportation is rescinding 52 federal rules, including 20 from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), as part of a sweeping deregulation effort under the Trump administration. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy said the move will slash redundant or obsolete rules and remove over 73,000 words from the Federal Registry. Key FMCSA changes include eliminating CDL self-reporting, ELD manual requirements, and retroreflective sheeting mandates on older trailers. Several other proposals amend regulations for inspection, braking, and fuel systems. “These are common-sense changes,” Duffy said, “to build a more efficient government.” A 60-day public comment period is now open.

🚢 U.S. Ports Log Strong April Despite Tariff Headwinds. Ports across the U.S saw double-digit container growth in April as shippers rushed goods ahead of tariff hikes. Los Angeles moved 842,806 TEUs (+9.4% YoY), while Long Beach set a record with 867,493 TEUs (+15.6%). Houston surged 19.5%, and Savannah rose 16.9%. Port leaders, however, caution about May slowdowns. “We are now anticipating a more than 10% drop-off in imports in May,” said Long Beach CEO Mario Cordero. Tariff-driven front-loading is lifting volumes temporarily, but now the future outlook is unknown. Carriers and brokers should prepare for shifting flows as global trade adjusts to ever-changing policies and the risks they inevitably bring.

🛢️ Diesel Drops Nearly 5¢, Reversing Last Week’s Increase. The U.S. average diesel price fell 4.9 cents to $3.487 per gallon as of May 28, according to the EIA, reversing the prior week’s 6-cent increase. Diesel is now 27.1 cents cheaper than a year ago, reflecting continued softness in fuel demand. All five Petroleum Administration Defense Districts (PADD) posted declines, with the Rocky Mountains and Gulf Coast leading the drop at 6.7¢ and 6.5¢, respectively. Only the Central Atlantic subregion saw a slight uptick (+1.3¢).

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Trump’s Tariffs Take a Legal Rollercoaster

A federal court struck down Trump’s sweeping “Reciprocal and Trafficking” tariffs, only for an appeals court to temporarily reinstate them hours later.

• The U.S. Court of International Trade ruled that the tariffs, enacted under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), overstepped presidential authority.
• But an emergency stay by the Federal Circuit court means U.S. Customs is still collecting duties—for now.

The court wasn’t convinced that “national emergency” declarations give the President unlimited tariff power.

• The trade court wrote: “The mere incantation of ‘national emergency’... is not a talisman enabling the President to rewrite the tariff schedules.”
• Analysts say the legal logic could reshape how emergency powers are used in trade policy going forward.

Flexport's Ryan Petersen summed it up on X:

At a Glance: What's On, What's Off

Why the Distinction?

The U.S. Court of International Trade found that the IEEPA doesn’t authorize “unlimited tariffs” across nearly every country, blocking the broad tariffs while leaving those imposed under different legal authorities (like the Trade Expansion Act) intact.

Economy Reacts

Markets surged on the news, with Jason Miller, supply chain professor, noting:

"This latest development adds to the ongoing tariff uncertainty, which itself is a negative drag on economic growth by causing a scaling back of capital investment."

But just as quickly, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit stepped in, granting an emergency stay.

For now, the tariffs, including the sweeping 25% duties on goods from Canada, Mexico, China, and others are back in effect. Customs has been ordered to continue collecting all IEEPA-imposed duties while the appeal is under review.

The Legal Backbone

The broader legal battle centers on how far presidential trade powers can go without Congressional oversight.

• Trade attorney Matthew Leffler (aka The Armchair Attorney) says the case is likely heading to the Supreme Court.
• He predicts a narrow 5–4 or 6–3 ruling in favor of the President’s authority—but notes it’ll come down to how justices interpret the IEEPA statute.

Freight brokers, shippers, and carriers are left grappling with a volatile trade landscape, just as peak season planning kicks into gear.

What’s Next?

• Appeals process continues, with key filings due in early June.
• Freight markets brace for volatility amid tariff uncertainty.
• EU trade negotiations are ongoing as the July truce deadline approaches.
• The Supreme Court may ultimately decide the fate of Trump’s tariffs.

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🌎 AROUND THE FREIGHT WEB

📈 Craig Fuller Sees 2025 Rebound. FreightWaves CEO Craig Fuller remains optimistic about the second half of 2025. The problem is overcoming Trump's Tariffs, which have an impact on how the industry will move moving forward, according to Fuller.

🥇 JOC’s Top 25 Ranking. The Journal of Commerce’s latest rankings show the top 25 U.S. truckload carriers remain “stuck in low gear.” This is due to the well-known issue of limited growth and excess capacity plaguing carriers.

🏭 GM’s Investment. General Motors is investing $888 million in its Buffalo plant to produce next-generation V-8 engines. The investment will support 870 jobs (177 of which are at-risk roles). “This investment marks an exciting new chapter for our plant,” said Plant Director Tara Wasik.

🎮 Penske's Fantasy Fleets. Penske Logistics has introduced a new service offering gamified performance metrics to partner carriers, coined Fantasy Fleets. It’s Fantasy Sports meet Trucking, where you can see how you’re “performing against yourself” in real time, according to Tim Haynes, VP of Digital & Customer Data at Penske Truck Leasing.

🚦 Michigan Opposes Self-Driving Corridor. Washtenaw County officials in Michigan have voted to oppose the proposed I-94 autonomous truck corridor, citing safety concerns, environmental impacts and not aligning with the “immediate needs” of the residents.

🎣 THE FREIGHT CAVIAR CORNER

We’re Sponsoring the Nashville Transportation Club’s Golf Tournament

On Monday, June 2nd, we’re sponsoring the 5th Annual Charity Golf Tournament hosted by the Nashville Transportation Club at Franklin Bridge Golf Club.

FreightCaviarPaul-Bernard Jaroslawski

• Nashville Transportation Golf Club Tournament. On June 2nd, FreightCaviar is sponsoring the 5th Annual Charity Golf Tournament hosted by the Nashville Transportation Club at Franklin Bridge Golf Club. Sign up here.
• The FreightCaviar Podcast. In this week’s episode, we sat down with Adán Capuchino Monrreal, México Branch Director, and Sergio I Martinez Hinojosa, Operations Supervisor, at Little John Transportation Services, Inc. They discuss the advantages of being a Landstar agent, the future of nearshoring in Mexico, and the impact tariffs are currently having on businesses. Listen to the entire interview on Apple Podcasts,  Spotify, or watch it on our YouTube Channel.
• FreightCaviar Forum: Now Live! A space built for brokers, carriers, dispatchers, and freight tech to connect, share, and learn from one another. Sign up now here.

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