FreightWaves

News Summary:

FreightWaves reported on February 20, 2026, that the U.S. Supreme Court's 6-3 ruling, striking down President Donald Trump's International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) tariffs, prompted varied reactions across the maritime industry, leading ports, carriers, and logistics providers to prepare for both relief and renewed uncertainty. Previously, during the February State of Freight webinar on February 18, FreightWaves and SONAR CEO Craig Fuller and SONAR Zach Strickland asserted that the increasingly strong freight market rally would persist, marking a significant shift from months of weaker conditions. This followed FreightWaves founder and CEO Craig Fuller's observation on February 9 that U.S. freight markets showed early signs of an industrial rebound, with Midwest truckload volumes rising approximately 8% year over year due to activity in traditional industrial corridors like autos and heavy machinery, even as import-related flows remained subdued. Earlier on February 9, industry analysis noted that U.S. freight markets were beginning to reflect a shift toward domestically driven industrial activity, evidenced by sharply increasing truckload volumes across the Midwest despite weak import-related freight. Also on February 9, a strategic planning guide from FreightWaves projected that freight market conditions would level out in 2026, though profitability among carriers would vary widely.