Almost all the way through year one of the second Trump administration, it's possible to assess the effects of some major policies on freight. On this edition of The Intermodal Logistics Podcast, we welcome Arizona State University Professor Dr. Dale Rogers to discuss three key initiatives that relate to supply chains:
Dr. Rogers talks about how, particularly in areas like California and other states that border Mexico, a number of drivers may not be English-proficient. He tells us how the combination of the English policy - as well as worries about being targeted by immigration enforcement - are causing many to leave the field.
But he points out that the industry is already dealing with a shortage of new truck drivers (without a lot of signs that younger Americans are interested in trucking- much like other jobs immigrants traditionally take on), so such an exodus will slow freight activity in these areas.
We also pivot to tariff policy, and how this year's decisions on trade have reshaped global supply chains. Dr. Rogers and co-host, InTek Logistics CEO Rick LaGore, go over how this year and next year could shape up like 2018-19, when the previous Trump administration levied more targeted tariffs (they even go further back to Smoot-Hawley around 1930). But they share optimism that trade policy could evolve and lead to brighter days ahead for freight.
See the paper Dr. Rogers co-authored on tariffs just last year, providing valuable historical context: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1478409224000037. And find out more about ASU's Supply Chain program: https://wpcarey.asu.edu/supply-chain-management-degrees.
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