As 2025 carries on, new US policies, (de)regulations, and executive orders continue to impact the logistics industry. What do the EPA’s new rollbacks mean for the trucking sector? What are the most recent updates on Trump’s tariffs? Fuel prices?
Don’t fall behind on industry news and lose your competitive edge. Let’s dive in.
Trucking: EPA Reconsiders 31 Environmental Rules, Announces Rollbacks on Regulations
The EPA is calling it the “biggest deregulatory action in U.S. History.”
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin has announced a new deregulatory plan to loosen up restrictions on trucking. The plan marks changes for several regulations introduced in the Green Trucks Plan, including rolling back Phase 3 of the EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards for Heavy-Duty Vehicles (which was finalized just under 1 year ago, on March 29th of 2024), and reconsidering “strict” standards on NOx and greenhouse gas emissions for 2027 model light-duty and medium-duty trucks.
How will new EPA deregulations impact your business?
The EPA’s decision to cut pollution rules will greatly impact the logistics industry and likely go far beyond it. According to Zeldin, the deregulations will allow massive savings on regulatory costs, a lower cost of living across the US, and benefits to the automotive, manufacturing, and energy sectors. Conversely, many fear that the new plan will damage public health and risk annual healthcare savings promised by the EPA’s past efforts.
All of this suggests lower shipping and transportation costs, for a variety of reasons. Here’s a rundown of potential impacts on logistics providers and product-based businesses:
- Truck companies may no longer face emissions regulations for 2027 model trucks that would increase manufacturing costs. By loosening environmental compliance, the EPA aims to lower costs associated with adopting newer, cleaner vehicles and technologies, at least in the short term.
- The reconsideration of regulations throttling the oil and gas industry (namely, the “OOOOb” rules, which came into effect in early 2024) could potentially lead to lower fuel prices over time.
- The EPA states that these actions will recover trillions in regulatory costs and “hidden taxes”, leading to a decrease in the cost of living for American families and business owners. This is expected to make it more affordable to purchase a car, heat homes, and operate a business, as well as bring manufacturing into local communities.
- From a public health standpoint, some fear that the deregulations will cost Americans more than they will save, citing the EPA’s previous efforts to increase air quality and ultimately cut annual healthcare costs by at least $245 billion.
Tariff Updates, Change to Cross-Border Trade, and Diesel Prices
Cross-border trade dynamics between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico have been a focal point recently. President Trump has postponed the imposition of 25% tariffs on imports, including critical automotive products from Canada and Mexico, until April 2, 2025. This delay offers a window of opportunity for businesses engaged in cross-border trade with these nations to stock up while they can. As the deadline approaches, US businesses may need to prepare contingencies, like shopping for new suppliers, should the tariffs ultimately take effect.
New Tariffs on Steel and Aluminum
While the tariff increases on Canada and Mexico were postponed, the steel and aluminum sectors are already seeing changes. On March 12, the US introduced a 25% tariff on all steel and aluminum imports from around the world, effective immediately. These tariffs could significantly impact supply and manufacturing costs, and cause delays for consumers who are looking to purchase steel and aluminum products from companies who may be scrambling to find new suppliers or adjust pricing structures.
Diesel Prices Continue to Fall
In other news, the average price of diesel continues to decrease, reaching $3.549 per gallon as of March 17th, 2025. This is a decrease of 3.3 cents per gallon since last week, and a significant decrease of $1.556 since March of 2022, when prices peaked dramatically. Diesel prices have been steadily falling since 2022, and are still a dollar higher than in 2020, when the US average reached $2.551 per gallon. As the cost of diesel continues to fall, lower prices contribute to reduced transportation costs and ultimately increase your bottom line.
Staying Ahead of the Curve
After 25 years of logistical excellence, TRG knows what it’s like to weather market changes. For businesses of all sizes, we’re a trusted partner for streamlining supply chain operations and helping businesses scale with ease. If you’re looking to save on fulfillment costs in 2025 without sacrificing high-speed, high-accuracy logistics, TRG is here to help.
How are your company’s logistics fairing in 2025? Are you concerned about new tariffs, policy changes, and (de)regulations? Let’s discuss what TRG can do for you. If you’re one of the many businesses, entrepreneurs, or e-commerce brands looking to make a change in 2025, give us a call, or contact us on our website to start the conversation.