Radiant's Freight Market Update: June 19, 2025
This week: U.K.–U.S. trade pact eases pressure on key sectors; Big-city airport delays are pushing air cargo carriers to think small; Tariff uncertainty is shining a spotlight on Foreign Trade Zones.
Current Critical Industry Trends
U.K.–U.S. trade pact eases pressure on key sectors. President Trump and British Prime Minister Starmer cut duties on autos and aircraft. Agricultural market access opens with strict food regulations. Steel remains excluded with Jingye Group ownership in focus. A symbol of progress but not a full victory for British industry.
DHL Express pulls the plug on Canadian service. Shutdown starts June 20 amid stalled contract talks. Unifor fights for fair pay while DHL cites economic strain. Over 2,100 employees remain on strike since June 8. Imports suspended just days before the national halt.
Ports
Tensions in key maritime corridors are rising. At the UN's shipping agency, Iran and Israel traded accusations over threats to commercial shipping in the Gulf and Red Sea, with each blaming the other for escalating military actions that endanger vessels and global energy flows. Maritime agencies are now advising ships to avoid Iranian waters near the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint critical to global oil and gas trade.
Montreal port sees China-bound trade soar while overall volume dips. Amid U.S. and Canada tariff tensions, China climbed from fifth to second among export destinations. Canadian exports to the U.S. fell nearly 16% in April.
International
Five proven ways to reduce tariff exposure right now. Customs penalties can be steeper than IRS fines. Reasonable care, code accuracy, and smarter sourcing are becoming the new standard for compliance.
Trucking
California emissions rollback reignites national debate on truck standards. Charging an electric truck can take 6 to 8 hours versus 15 minutes for diesel. ATA says the move restores certainty and protects long-haul freight timelines.
Container truck drivers at Vancouver ports will get a rate increase starting July 1. Hourly wages for company drivers and independent operators will rise to reflect inflation, ensuring fair pay while maintaining sector stability. Fuel surcharges and overtime rules remain in place to support driver compensation amid rising operational costs.
Rail
Canadian National Railway Company invests $170 million in Illinois. The funding will support key infrastructure upgrades, including progress on the Chicago Logistics Hub and enhancements to CN’s Homewood campus. The move strengthens CN’s network resiliency and reinforces Chicago’s role as a critical supply chain crossroads.
Air
Big-city airport delays are pushing air cargo carriers to think small. As congestion and staffing issues choke major U.S. hubs like Newark, regional airports offer faster turnarounds, lower costs and better access to nearshoring activity. With freight volumes rising and supply chains shifting, smaller airports are emerging as strategic air cargo alternatives.
Technology
A cyberattack on UNFI delayed shipments and disrupted grocery supply chains nationwide. With ordering and receiving systems offline, stores faced shortages and turned to alternate suppliers. While recovery is underway, the incident highlights how vulnerable logistics networks remain.
Other
Tariff uncertainty is shining a spotlight on Foreign Trade Zones. More companies are turning to FTZs to save costs, manage duties, and improve cash flow. While data is limited, rising interest shows FTZs could be a key strategy in today’s unpredictable trade environment.
Pallets haven’t changed much, but their role in the supply chain has. Now, they’re central to efficiency, with tech upgrades like RFID and IoT driving smarter tracking and utilization. Standardization, dual sourcing, and a renewed focus on sustainability are reshaping how companies think about this essential asset.
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As always, Radiant’s team is here to help. Our expert teams are ready to answer any questions you may have or give advice for managing the current logistics environment. Additionally, if you need help moving freight or gaining visibility and control over your supply chain, we’d happily discuss what Radiant can do for you. Contact us!
About Radiant Logistics, Inc.
Radiant Logistics, Inc. (www.radiantdelivers.com) is a comprehensive North American provider of third-party logistics and multimodal transportation services. Through its comprehensive service offering, Radiant provides domestic and international freight forwarding services, truck and rail brokerage services and other value-added supply chain management services, including customs brokerage, order fulfillment, inventory management and warehousing to a diversified account base including manufacturers, distributors and retailers using a network of independent carriers and international agents positioned strategically around the world.