Private Fleets Face Tariff Turmoil

Private trucking fleets are facing an unpredictable landscape as U.S. tariffs and trade negotiations reshape supply chains. Sysco, ranked No. 3 among private carriers, has leaned on its scale, partnerships, and a heavy domestic sourcing base to buffer volatility. Executives note that pandemic-era diversification—expanding supplier networks and moving sourcing closer to home—has proven critical in managing disruption.

Economists caution that tariffs, while intended to boost U.S. manufacturing, increase costs much faster than they deliver long-term benefits. Private fleets are hit especially hard since they act as both transporters and importers, paying the tariffs directly. Freight demand remains sluggish, with a three-year freight recession and oversupplied trucking capacity keeping rates low. Meanwhile, fleet equipment orders have fallen sharply, pushing some carriers to rely more on for-hire operators. Despite the challenges, many supply chain leaders argue that resilience planning during the pandemic has prepared them to “roll with the punches” in today’s uncertain trade environment.

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