Weekly Freight Report: January 23, 2026

This week saw tariff drama take center stage, from Trump backing off his Greenland threats to the Supreme Court case that could mean billions in refunds for importers. Meanwhile, the Port of LA wrapped 2025 as the third busiest year in its history, and carriers are cautiously testing Red Sea routes again as container rates slide.

A major winter storm is also bearing down on freight corridors from Texas to the Northeast—and truckload capacity is already tightening. Here’s what it all means for your supply chain.

Trump Backs Down on Greenland and Cancels Tariff Threat

President Trump dropped his threat to impose tariffs on eight European countries over Greenland, announcing a “framework of a future deal” with NATO on Arctic security. The tariffs, initially set for February 1st, are now off the table—at least temporarily.

Major Winter Storm Coming: What Does This Mean for Freight?

A significant winter system is expected to hit 30+ states from Texas to the Northeast this weekend. Analysts expect spot rate spikes on key corridors like I-40, I-20, and I-35—but the broader market impact may be short-lived.

Supreme Court Tariff Decision: How the Administration Could Drag Out Refund Payments

Even if the Supreme Court rules IEEPA tariffs unconstitutional, importers may face a long wait for refunds. The administration has signaled replacement tariffs could be deployed within 24 hours—and refund processes will likely be complex and heavily scrutinized.

Port of Los Angeles Reports Third Busiest Year in Its History in 2025

The nation’s busiest port handled 10.2 million TEUs in 2025, marking just the third time in its 118-year history it has crossed the 10 million threshold. Executive Director Gene Seroka credited frontloading ahead of tariffs and strong retailer demand

CBP Modernizes Electronic Refund Enrollment Process

U.S. Customs has updated its electronic refund process, requiring importers to enroll in ACH by February 6th to receive any future refunds. With a Supreme Court ruling potentially imminent, the timing matters for companies tracking IEEPA duties.

Shippers Will See Rates Climb as Truckload Capacity Tightens

Knight-Swift says tighter capacity—driven by the federal crackdown on non-domiciled CDLs and English proficiency enforcement—will push truckload rates higher. The capacity squeeze is real, and pricing pressure is building

Container Rates Slide as Carriers Cautiously Reintroduce Suez Capacity

The Drewry World Container Index dropped 10% as carriers grapple with softening demand and mixed signals on Red Sea routing. Some carriers are returning to Suez while others retreat—creating volatility on Asia-Europe lanes.

Weekly Freight Report: January 23, 2026

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