Freight Morning! 👋 Executives from Walmart, Target, and Home Depot recently met with President Trump to discuss tariffs, calling the conversation “constructive.”

As retailers work through pre-tariff inventories, many are now viewing tariffs as an added “holiday tax,” especially with products on shelves for the upcoming back-to-school, Halloween, and Q4 holidays. More ahead 👇

💬 More in Freight:

⚫️ Innovation Agenda Unveiled By DOT

⚫️ Transporting $64M Liquid Meth Scheme

⚫️ AIT Acquires Florida Based Forwarder

⚫️ First Electric Truck Stop Opens

Innovation Agenda Unveiled For AVs 💡

DOT Secretary Sean Duffy unveiled a new federal framework for autonomous vehicles (AVs) as part of the "Innovation Agenda," calling innovation a top priority. The framework, developed by NHTSA, aims to streamline AV crash reporting and ease permitting for domestically produced AVs. Currently, foreign-made AVs benefit from quicker exemptions, while U.S. vehicles face stricter processes.

Duffy emphasized the need for a single national standard for AV crash reporting instead of state-specific guidelines. The changes align with President Trump’s executive orders to reduce regulatory burdens. The move has been supported by AV companies like Aurora, who praised the framework for enhancing safety and supply chain efficiency.

FMCSA Oversight Lax 🧐

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) needs stronger oversight of the billions in taxpayer funds allocated to truck crash prevention, according to a recent audit by the Department of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General (OIG).

The audit found that FMCSA’s division offices often fail to follow proper monitoring procedures for the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP), with outdated guidelines for reviewing grant requests.

The audit comes as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act allocated over $2 billion in MCSAP funding, a 61% increase from the previous five years. With over 5,000 truck-related fatalities in 2023, better oversight is critical to ensure funds are used to improve safety.

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What Else Is Moving 🚚

Walmart, Target, & Home Depot 🏪

Executives from Walmart, Target, and Home Depot recently met with President Trump at the White House to discuss tariffs, calling the conversation “constructive.” While working through pre-tariff inventories, many retailers are now considering tariffs as an added “holiday tax” since they’ll apply to products on shelves for upcoming back-to-school, Halloween, and Q4 holidays.

Direct Input and Praise for Retailers

The meeting marked the first high-profile direct communication from these companies regarding the shifting tariff landscape. Target spokesperson Jim Joice noted that the discussion focused on trade’s path forward, and all parties reaffirmed their commitment to delivering value for American consumers.

Retailers’ direct input to the president was praised by Georgetown University's Charlie Skuba, who emphasized the importance of hearing firsthand from those involved in sourcing, importing, and inventory management, as these tariffs could impact product pricing and margins.

While the National Retail Federation (NRF) has shown support for working with the administration on tariffs, they’ve also urged Congress to ensure proper oversight. NRF has expressed concerns about the “reciprocal” tariffs, encouraging lawmakers to collaborate with the White House to pursue a consistent trade policy.

Ongoing Trade Disruptions

The trade situation remains in flux, with China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson denying reports of U.S.-China negotiations on tariffs. The spokesperson reinforced China’s stance on fighting the trade war if needed, while stressing the importance of equality and mutual respect in any future talks.

FREIGHT SNIPPETS ✂️

🤖 Revoking Ban On Autonomous Semi Truck Testing | California officials are moving to lift the state's ban on autonomous semi-truck testing. On April 25th, the California Department of Motor Vehicles announced a proposed regulation change that would allow companies to test self-driving trucks weighing over 10,001 pounds on state roads. Currently, California is the only state with an explicit ban on such testing. The proposed change would align California with states like Texas, Arizona, and Arkansas, where autonomous trucks are already being tested. The regulations are now open for public comment until June. Labor unions are expected to oppose the move, raising concerns about safety and potential job losses for truck drivers. Read more.

🥷 Transporting $64M Liquid Meth Scheme | A federal jury convicted five individuals for their roles in a drug trafficking organization (DTO) that smuggled liquid methamphetamine from Mexico through Texas to Oklahoma City using semi-trucks. The convicted individuals include Juan Hernandez, 49, who was charged with money laundering conspiracy and multiple counts of domestic and international money laundering; Jessica Muniz, 32, who faced similar charges; and Denis Leal Gutierrez, 59, along with Cesar Azamar, 52, and Adrian Narvaez, 58, all of whom were charged with drug conspiracy. Read more.

🚨 Border Officer Arrested | A U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer, Amer Aldarawsheh, was arrested on April 23 for fraudulently obtaining nearly $150,000 in COVID-19 business relief loans for two fake businesses. The 45-year-old from Moreno Valley faces five counts of wire fraud. Aldarawsheh falsely claimed loans for Nahar Enterprises, a supposed trucking company, and Ameral, an auto repair business. He misused the funds for personal gain, transferring $149,900 to a bank account he controlled. Read more.

🚛 Tragic Accident | Life on the road as a trucker is undeniably tough and dangerous, and we owe each driver a great deal of respect for their daily sacrifices. This loss hits especially close to home. Brittany Traylor was not just a wonderful friend, but a passionate advocate for truckers everywhere. Our community grieves alongside her family, especially her partner Chante’. If you're able, let's come together to support this family during such a difficult time. She was involved in a devastating accident, her semi truck crashed while trying to avoid a black SUV that pulled out right in front of her, and Brittany was crushed from the waist down. Her partner, Chante’, was thrown from the cab through the window, but is in critical care recovering. Our hearts are heavy for the loss of such an incredible person. Donate now.

🤝 AIT Acquires Miami Based Forwarder | AIT Worldwide Logistics has acquired Miami-based international freight forwarder Gsdmia, expanding its capabilities in air and ocean transportation. The acquisition strengthens AIT’s reach across the U.S., Asia, Europe, and Latin America, with Gsdmia specializing in shipping goods for industries like cosmetics and cryptocurrency. Read more.

🪪 Permits For 17 Year Olds | The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has denied an exemption request from Connell High School (CHS) in Washington state, which sought to allow 17-year-olds to obtain a Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP) for its CDL training program. Read more.

Pallets of News 🚛

Motive Wins Omnitracs Lawsuit 🏛️

A federal jury has ruled in favor of Motive, determining its technology does not infringe on Omnitracs’ patents, ending a lengthy legal dispute. Omnitracs had sued Motive in October 2023, alleging patent violations related to fleet management systems, including technologies for driver performance and vehicle data processing. The jury's unanimous verdict, delivered in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, sided with Motive.

Motive celebrated the decision, highlighting the strength of its technology, including AI and its Integrated Operations Platform. Chief legal officer Shu White criticized Omnitracs for focusing on legal action instead of improving its products, stating that the victory benefits customers by providing access to better tools for safety, productivity, and profitability.

First Electric Semi Truck Stop Opens 🔌

The first electric semi-truck stop along California's Interstate 5 opened in Colton on April 24th. This charging station is part of a planned 280-mile corridor connecting Los Angeles and Las Vegas. It offers 12 pull-through chargers, 29 bobtail chargers, and amenities like a lounge, Wi-Fi, restrooms, and 24/7 support. The site also features security, overnight parking, and office space for lease. Greenlane, the project developer, plans to add more stations every 50-60 miles in areas like Long Beach, Barstow, and Baker.

MEME OF THE DAY 😂

📍 Upcoming events: Catch up with us at the Broker Carrier Summit in Indianapolis THIS WEEK and Home Delivery World in Nashville on May 21-22. Let us know if you’ll be there – we'd love to connect!