Logistics Pulse Newsletter— New Mothership National LTL Lane + How U.S.–China Talks Could Reshape Global Trade
Welcome to Logistics Pulse
This week’s top news in trucking and logistics
Trade policy pauses, shifting consumer habits, and bold new investments are reshaping supply chains across North America. From tariff-driven import surges to next-day retail delivery races, shippers and carriers are navigating both volatility and new growth channels. This week’s top stories highlight how trade negotiations, infrastructure upgrades, and technology bets are setting the stage for the next phase of logistics.
U.S.–China Trade Talks: What the Tariff Truce and Tech Deals Mean for Global Freight
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Top articles this week
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Mothership National LTL Expands: New Lane from Southern California to Chicago
Mothership has launched a new National LTL lane linking Southern California to Chicago, connecting two of the busiest logistics hubs in the U.S. The service mirrors our Los Angeles ➡️ New York / New Jersey route, offering 98% on-time performance, fewer terminal stops, and lower costs than traditional LTL carriers. Daily pickups and direct line-haul moves freight off the dock faster, with live tracking and real-time visibility. Capacity remains limited, so shippers seeking predictable long-haul service should plan ahead.
How could this new lane help you reduce risk and improve reliability on your Midwest freight moves?
‘TikTok’ of rising ocean rates as China prospects improve
Talks between the U.S. and China in Madrid may lead to a deal over TikTok and have lined up with a jump in shipping costs from China. Rates to the U.S. West Coast climbed 7% to about $2,300 per container and East Coast rates rose 4%. Carriers are keeping prices up by canceling some sailings and adding surcharges as China’s Golden Week holiday approaches. Even so, the National Retail Federation expects U.S. imports in the second half of 2025 to be about 10% lower than last year. A temporary pause on 30% tariffs until November has slowed the drop in demand, but new U.S. port fees on Chinese ships and a Supreme Court decision on future tariffs could shake things up.
How should shippers prepare for peak season when both costs and trade rules keep shifting?
DHL is on customs agent hiring spree as Trump’s trade war, reshoring bring big changes to U.S. shipping
Calling this “the most atypical peak season” in memory, DHL Global Forwarding CEO Tim Robertson is hiring more than 200 customs agents to help importers navigate a patchwork of shifting tariffs and trade rules. U.S.–China volumes are “incredibly soft,” but DHL sees long-term growth from reshoring in life sciences, pharmaceuticals, energy, and AI infrastructure. The company is also investing in services to support data-center and battery-storage supply chains, while deploying AI in its own Trade Connect platform.
As tariff rates change almost daily, will customs talent, not just freight capacity, become the critical differentiator for logistics providers?
In Other News
LA port sees 10% import drop through year-end
Early holiday shipments and softer demand point to a 10% year-end drop, with new U.S. fees on China-owned ships adding uncertainty.
Dwell down for LA-Long Beach container trucks, rail
Truck dwell averaged 2.73 days in August, while rail dwell dropped to 4.98 days, well below last year’s 8.20, evidence of a resilient peak-season flow.
Target expanding next-day delivery coverage to top 35 US metros
By late October, the retailer will offer next-day shipping in the top 35 U.S. metros, leveraging late order cutoffs and optimized in-store fulfillment.
Read more on Supply Chain Dive
US kicks off consultation process for USMCA review
The U.S. has opened a 45-day public comment period ahead of the 2026 joint review, inviting shippers to weigh in on market access and economic security.
Read more on Supply Chain Dive
U.S. Importers and Exporters Fret Over Port Fees on Chinese Ships
U.S. importers and exporters are bracing for Oct. 14 surcharges on China-linked vessels, though the fees could be revised if trade talks progress.
Benchmark diesel moves up 2nd straight week as futures market yawns