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.
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