White House Delays Furniture Tariff Increases For a Year
The U.S. has postponed planned tariff increases on upholstered furniture, kitchen cabinets, and vanities for one year, keeping the current 25% rate in place. Tariffs were set to rise to 50% for cabinets and vanities and 30% for upholstered furniture. The delay comes as the U.S. continues negotiations with countries such as the United Kingdom, Japan, and the European Union over wood product imports. The tariffs were originally imposed after a Section 232 investigation found foreign wood imports could threaten national security. Numerous retailers have already adjusted pricing and sourcing strategies to manage ongoing tariff pressures.
Who’s Involved:
U.S. government, furniture manufacturers, retailers, trade partners, including the U.K., Japan, and the EU.
Case Details:
– Tariffs were set to rise to 50% for cabinets/vanities and 30% for upholstered furniture.
– The delay is tied to ongoing negotiations over wood product imports.
– Tariffs stem from a Section 232 investigation into national‑security risks.
– Retailers have already adjusted pricing and sourcing strategies.
Click here to read the full article
Amazon, Aumovio Team Up to Boost Autonomous Truck Deployment
Aumovio has partnered with Amazon Web Services to accelerate autonomous vehicle development, beginning with Aurora Innovation’s self‑driving commercial trucks. Announced at CES 2026, the collaboration brings new agentic and generative AI tools into Aumovio’s workflows, enabling engineers to test autonomous systems against millions of scenarios and quickly surface edge cases through natural‑language queries. Aumovio, spun off from Continental in 2025, will use these capabilities to support its co‑development of the Aurora Driver, including a backup computer for safe operation. Aurora, which launched the first commercial autonomous trucking route in the U.S., relies on AWS to process large volumes of safety‑validation data. The partnership aims to scale autonomous freight through deeper technical integration and shared development.
Aumovio has partnered with Amazon Web Services to accelerate autonomous vehicle development, beginning with Aurora Innovation’s self‑driving commercial trucks. The collaboration introduces new AI tools that allow engineers to test millions of simulated scenarios and quickly surface edge cases through natural‑language queries.
Who’s Involved:
Aumovio, Amazon Web Services, Aurora Innovation.
Case Details:
– Aumovio will use AWS tools to enhance simulation and safety‑validation workflows.
– The partnership includes the development of a backup computer for safe autonomous truck operation.
– Aurora relies on AWS to process large volumes of safety‑critical data.
– The collaboration aims to scale autonomous freight through deeper technical integration.
Click here to read the full article
Duffy Yanks $160M From California Over Non-Domiciled CDLs
The U.S. Department of Transportation is withholding nearly $160 million from California after the state failed to revoke over 17,000 improperly issued non‑domiciled commercial driver’s licenses by the agreed Jan. 5 deadline. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration officials say California repeatedly delayed corrective actions despite warnings. Industry leaders, including the American Trucking Associations, stress that uniform CDL standards are essential for national roadway safety. FMCSA will withhold 4% of California’s federal highway funds starting in fiscal 2027 and warns additional penalties, including possible CDL program decertification, could follow.
The U.S. Department of Transportation is withholding nearly $160 million from California after the state failed to revoke more than 17,000 improperly issued non‑domiciled commercial driver’s licenses by the Jan. 5 deadline.
Who’s Involved:
U.S. DOT, FMCSA, State of California, American Trucking Associations.
Case Details:
– California missed multiple deadlines to correct CDL compliance issues.
– FMCSA will withhold 4% of California’s federal highway funds starting in fiscal 2027.
– Additional penalties, including possible CDL program decertification, remain possible.
– Industry groups stress that uniform CDL standards are essential for roadway safety.
Click here to read the full article
Mexico freight may be the US trucking markets’ biggest stabilizer in 2026, experts say
U.S.-Mexico cross-border freight is emerging as a key stabilizer for 2026, with Mexican exports to the U.S. increasing by about 15%, which is helping offset volatility in the broader trucking market. Uber Freight executives say capacity is tightening due to carrier exits and low equipment orders, though margins remain thin as spot rates barely cover costs. Despite tariff pressures, Mexico’s trade remains resilient, supported by diversified manufacturing and stronger compliance planning. The biggest uncertainty for 2026 is regulatory risk, especially proposed non‑domiciled CDL restrictions that could affect large portions of capacity.
Cross-border freight between the U.S. and Mexico is emerging as a major stabilizing force for the trucking market in 2026, with Mexican exports to the U.S. increasing by roughly 15%.
Who’s Involved:
U.S. and Mexican shippers, Uber Freight analysts, and cross‑border carriers.
Case Details:
– Capacity is tightening due to carrier exits and low equipment orders.
– Spot rates remain near cost levels, keeping margins thin.
– Mexico’s diversified manufacturing base continues to support strong export volumes.
– Regulatory uncertainty, especially around non‑domiciled CDLs, is the biggest risk for 2026.
Click here to read the full article
4 Railroads Object to Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern Merger
CSX Transportation, BNSF Railway, Canadian Pacific, Kansas City Southern, and Grand Trunk Railroad have asked the Surface Transportation Board to reject Union Pacific’s application to acquire Norfolk Southern, arguing the December 19 filing lacks required details. Their objections include missing merger documents, insufficient analysis of competitive impacts, and failure to outline contingency measures or alternatives short of a merger. Union Pacific responded on January 2, insisting that its application is complete and meets the Surface Transportation Board’s rules. Shareholders of both railroads have approved the $85 billion deal, with Union Pacific expecting review to extend into early 2027.
Five major railroads have asked the Surface Transportation Board to reject Union Pacific’s application to acquire Norfolk Southern, arguing the filing lacks required documentation and competitive analysis.
Who’s Involved:
CSX Transportation, BNSF Railway, Canadian Pacific, Kansas City Southern, Grand Trunk Railroad, Union Pacific, Norfolk Southern.
Case Details:
– Railroads say the filing omits key merger documents.
– They argue the application lacks competitive‑impact analysis and contingency plans.
– Union Pacific maintains its filing is complete and compliant.
– Shareholders of both companies have approved the $85 billion deal.
Click here to read the full article
USPS Tightens Rules on Non-Domiciled CDL Drivers
The U.S. Postal Service is tightening its rules for contracted truck drivers who hold non‑domiciled commercial driver’s licenses, requiring them to undergo new vetting by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. USPS says the change adds a needed safety layer and aligns with a Department of Transportation emergency rule that halted states from issuing non‑domiciled CDLs after nationwide audits found compliance gaps. The rule is currently under court challenge, but USPS says enhanced screening supports safer roads. USPS operates one of the world’s largest civilian fleets, transporting 55,000 truckloads daily.
The U.S. Postal Service is implementing stricter vetting requirements for contracted truck drivers who hold non‑domiciled commercial driver’s licenses.
Who’s Involved:
U.S. Postal Service, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Department of Transportation, contracted carriers.
Case Details:
– The policy aligns with a DOT emergency rule halting issuance of non‑domiciled CDLs.
– The rule is under court challenge, but USPS says enhanced screening improves safety.
– USPS operates one of the world’s largest civilian fleets, moving 55,000 truckloads daily.
– Contractors must meet new verification and compliance requirements.
