Why Tariffs Suddenly Matter in Trucking (2024–2025 Context)

Regardless of political views, wants and needs, there is no denying that the newly enforced tariffs have taken a toll on most industries in some shape or form. Unfortunately, one of the markets that has been impacted heavily, and will continue to be impacted is the commercial trucking market. Everything you see, smell or touch, at some point has been on a truck. From raw materials, to finished goods, everything moves by road at some level, and the prices to move it are continuing to rise.   

Tariffs & New Truck Costs: Price Jumps and Sales Drop 

In 2025, ATA (American Trucking Association) leadership warned that tariffs could push up the price of a new tractor by as much as US $35,000, especially for imports from Mexico.  

The concerns came as the industry was already dealing with weak freight volumes and rising operating costs , meaning the tariffs threatened to aggravate a fragile recovery.  

For carriers, especially small operators or owner-operators, that kind of price bump per truck can be prohibitive. It changes fleet-acquisition math entirely and can discourage expansion or replacement of aging equipment. While that is great for the aftermarket business and parts, it will have a rippling effect through the industry.  

The S&P Global Mobility analysis shows that for U.S. buyers of Class 4–8 trucks, the “net impact” of tariffs could translate into about a 9% increase in truck prices.  

They also estimate that as much as one-third of U.S. commercial-vehicle sales could be threatened by the tariff regime (vehicles imported from Canada/Mexico or using cross-border supply-chains).  

And on demand side, S&P suggests that tariff-related cost pressure could depress demand for new commercial vehicles by up to 17%.  

Why does this matter?

That’s a large dent, not just rising cost but fewer trucks being sold. It signals shrinking OEM demand and potentially extended service life for existing trucks (more wear, more maintenance demand, shift toward aftermarket). 

Cross-Border Freight Fallout: Carriers Feeling the Pain (Canada ↔ US) 

Following the 25% tariffs on Canadian imports to the U.S. (and retaliatory trade actions), many Canadian carriers reported customers cancelling orders, some businesses saw cancellation rates between 20% and 80%, depending on region. 

As a result, some fleets reportedly began laying off employees or warned of potential closures if conditions did not improve.  

Given that trucking handles roughly 70% of Canada–U.S. trade (by value), the CTA warned that the tariffs would have “shocking effects” on the supply chain, meaning wide-ranging ripple effects beyond just truck sales.  

For carriers that depend on cross-border freight, tariffs aren’t just a cost, they’re a disruption. Lost loads, cancelled freight contracts, layoffs, this shows tangible, immediate damage to the business side, not just equipment cost. 

Maintenance, Parts & Aftermarket: Where the Demand Moves 

According to dealers and analysts, tariffs plus regulatory uncertainty (e.g., emissions / EPA rules) is causing many fleets to push off truck and trailer orders., Some dealers are even avoiding stocking units subject to tariff surcharges, out of fear prices might fall if tariffs later change.  

As a result, OEM demand is soft, but aftermarket demand (maintenance, repairs, parts) is expected to rise as fleets hold onto older trucks longer rather than buying new.  

It signals a shift in the lifecycle of the fleet. Fewer new trucks, more wear-and-tear on existing rigs, and increased dependence on maintenance, parts, and aftermarket solutions  

Cost of Ownership & Maintenance Pressure 

Even where heavy-duty trucks themselves are (at least temporarily) excluded from some tariffs, the increased cost of steel and aluminum, key inputs for trailers and many truck components drives up overall maintenance and replacement costs for fleets.  

Higher parts/labor costs reduce margins for carriers, which in a low-freight-volume environment, intensifies pressure to extend equipment life rather than replace, again pushing towards heavy use of maintenance and repairs.  

Even if a fleet avoids buying a new truck, their running costs go up. Tires, brakes, suspension, trailers, everything becomes more expensive. Over time, that erodes profitability, especially on long-haul or high-utilization rigs. 

Key Takeaways 

• Tariffs don’t just raise sticker-price, they cascade through parts, maintenance, freight demand, and even employment. The impact is multi-layered: assets, operations, and business viability. 

• Reduced new-truck demand → longer asset life cycles → higher demand for maintenance, parts, and aftermarket solutions. This trend benefits aftermarket-oriented businesses but also increases pressure to deliver value, reliability, and cost-savings. 

• Cross-border exposure is a real vulnerability. Carriers operating between Canada and the U.S. have been hit especially hard. Cancellations, load reductions, layoffs. That reinforces the need for diversified routing, domestic sourcing, or better contingency planning. 

• Uncertainty and volatility discourage investment. Fleets defer purchases, dealers hold off stocking inventory, and everyone waits to see if tariffs stay or go. This can create a slump, but also an opportunity for aftermarket and service businesses to step in. 

• Cost of ownership (maintenance, parts) not just acquisition cost, is increasingly critical. For fleets under margin pressure, proven solutions that extend tire life, reduce downtime, and lower total cost over time become more attractive, especially to fleet managers, CFOs, and maintenance decision-makers.  

The commercial trucking industry is no stranger to economic pressure, but the current tariff environment has added a new layer of complexity that fleets can’t ignore. From higher acquisition costs to strained cross-border operations and a growing dependence on aftermarket support, the ripple effects are reshaping how carriers plan, invest, and operate. As fleets delay replacing equipment and stretch the lifespan of their assets, the businesses that can support reliability, efficiency, and cost control will become indispensable. 

Whether tariffs ease or intensify in the coming years, the strategic focus for fleets remains the same: protect margins, extend asset performance, and adopt proven solutions that reduce downtime and operating costs. In this climate, products and technologies that help fleets do more with the equipment they already have will play a critical role in keeping trucks on the road—and keeping goods moving across North America.