Cross‑border freight is a cash cow, but the latest tariff roller‑coaster is turning it into a nightmare for drivers and dispatchers alike.
What happened
In July 2026 the US‑Canada border handled a record $12.3 billion in freight value, up 7% from June. However, the number of trucks crossing fell to 42,800, an 8% dip from July 2025, and tonnage dropped 5%. The drop coincides with the U.S. Commerce Department’s last‑minute tariff revisions on steel, aluminum, and high‑tech components, which added duties ranging from 2.5% to 12%. Canadian shippers, fearing cost spikes, shifted 15% of their loads to rail or inland waterways, leaving dispatchers with empty backhauls and drivers with unpredictable schedules.
Why it matters for dispatchers/drivers
1. Rate volatility – Rates for LTL and TL lanes spiked 15‑20% overnight, then settled back down as carriers renegotiated contracts. Dispatchers who locked in rates before the announcement are now stuck with under‑priced loads, while those who waited see inflated costs that erode margins. 2. Empty miles – The shift to alternative modes created a surge in deadhead miles. Drivers report an average 12% increase in empty mileage this month, cutting earnings and raising compliance headaches for HOS. 3. Compliance risk – New tariff classifications require additional paperwork. Missing a single code can trigger a $5,000 fine per load from the FMCSA, and brokers are scrambling to update their ELD integrations. 4. Broker‑carrier tension – Brokers are double‑brokering to hedge against sudden rate changes, exposing carriers to fraud and payment delays.
My take
The U.S. and Canadian governments are playing a dangerous game of tariff ping‑pong while the trucking industry bears the bruises. This isn’t a “temporary hiccup” – it’s a structural shock that will keep rates unstable until a clear, predictable trade policy is enacted. Dispatchers must become proactive traders, not passive couriers, or they’ll be left in the dust.
— Ekjot Singh
What you should do
- **Lock in rates now**: Use forward‑rate contracts or spot‑rate hedges to protect against further tariff swings.
- **Diversify lanes**: Add Midwest‑to‑Great Lakes routes that are less tariff‑sensitive to keep trucks moving.
- **Upgrade your tools**: Enroll in EK Dispatch Academy’s **Tariff‑Ready Dispatch Curriculum** ( /curriculum ) to master rapid rate‑adjustment workflows and ELD compliance updates.