State of Freight with ISG | Episode 1 — North American Trucking Market for January 2026

Описание: In Episode 1 of State of Freight, Carl and Spencer from ISG Transportation break down the most important forces shaping the North American trucking and freight market in early 2026 — without the noise.

This episode focuses on tariff uncertainty, FX volatility, layoffs, carrier exits, and tightening capacity across U.S., Canadian, and cross-border lanes — and what those trends actually mean for shippers moving freight right now.

Topics covered in this episode:

1. U.S. Supreme Court & Tariffs
Status of the Supreme Court challenge to Trump-era tariffs
Why the delayed ruling matters for importers and exporters
How a potential tariff moratorium could trigger a short-term surge in freight demand and tighter truck capacity

2. USD ↔ CAD Exchange Rate & Cross-Border Freight
Why the Canadian dollar is trading near 1.37 CAD/USD
How FX shifts impact Canadian exports, U.S. imports, and transborder volumes
Where pricing pressure is building — and where demand is softening

3. Layoffs, Carrier Exits & Capacity Signals
Major layoffs at UPS, Amazon, and GM — and why freight feels it downstream
Motor carrier authority exits averaging 1,500+ per week in 2026
What rising tender rejection rates mean for spot market pricing

4. Trucking Capacity & Market Structure
Why small-fleet carriers dominate North American trucking
How bankruptcies and contract walk-aways reduce real capacity
Why “soft demand” doesn’t equal cheap freight for time-sensitive moves

Capacity is retracting, not expanding. Tariff uncertainty, FX swings, layoffs, and carrier exits are quietly tightening the market — and shippers who wait may face higher costs and fewer options later. Lock in capacity early. Diversify carrier networks. Build cross-border buffers. Plan for volatility, not stability.

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