In this episode of the FreightWaves Morning Minute, we delve into the impact of stricter English language proficiency requirements on the U.S.-Mexico cross-border freight market, an initiative from the Trump administration. The enforcement, which began on Wednesday, July 1st, 2025, is already causing significant operational changes for the trucking industry and leading to an increase in rates on northbound trucking lanes.

The episode also covers the dramatic decline in trans-Pacific container rates from the Far East to the U.S. West Coast, with market average spot rates plummeting 39% since June 1st to $3,317 per forty-foot equivalent unit. While rates to the U.S. East Coast also declined by 9% since June 1st, they still stand at $5,990 per FEU, maintaining a significant $2,673 spread between the coasts, the highest in 10 months.

The first legal steps have taken to challenge the Clean Truck Partnership (CTP), a 2023 agreement between California and engine manufacturers. The Western States Trucking Association (WSTA) has petitioned the California Office of Administrative Law to determine if the CTP was properly reached under California law, labeling it an "unholy alliance".

Don't forget to tune into FreightWaves TV for Check Call and Loaded and Rolling. Also, mark your calendars for the Enterprise Fleet Summit on July 23rd and the AI Supply Chain Symposium on July 30th in Washington D.C..

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