April 28, 2025: North American Trade Shake-Up – Weekly Recap (April 24–28)
The U.S.-Canada trade feud is officially no longer “rising tension”—it’s full-blown disruption. Over the past few days, things have escalated fast. If you rely on cross-border shipping, here’s what happened and what it means for your supply chain:
April 24 – U.S. Tightens the Screws at Canadian Ports
The U.S. rolled out stricter inspection protocols for cargo entering through Canadian ports. Officially it's for “security,” but in practice, it’s slowing things down and racking up detention fees. Expect port delays, especially for shipments routed through Vancouver or Halifax.
📉 April 25 – Canadian Dollar Hits a 5-Year Low
Trade instability rattled the markets, and the Canadian dollar took a hit. A weaker CAD could make Canadian exports slightly more competitive abroad, but importers and carriers are already seeing volatility in costs, especially around fuel and foreign purchases.
April 26 – U.S. Retailers Pull Back
Major U.S. retailers—including Walmart and Target—announced cuts to Canadian purchasing due to tariff costs. That means less volume on retail freight lanes and fewer U.S. goods landing on Canadian shelves. Freight teams will likely feel the shift first.
April 27 – Mexico Emerges as the Trade Winner
With Canada and the U.S. locking horns, Mexico is stepping up. Traffic through Mexican ports is up 22% as companies reroute supply chains south. Mexico is fast becoming a go-to alternative for both sourcing and transit, and the shift isn’t slowing down.
⚠️ April 28 – Tariff Threats Keep Coming
The Trump administration signaled it’s considering even more tariffs. Canada is reportedly preparing another round of retaliatory measures. At this point, no one’s backing down, and no relief is in sight.
💡 What This Means Going Forward:
Port delays and inspection backlogs are the new normal
Currency shifts are impacting pricing and margins
Cross-border retail volumes are dipping
Mexico’s role in North American logistics is growing fast
No resolution in sight—flexibility is key
If you're not already reviewing your freight strategy, now's the time. Rerouting, reshoring, and cost-sharing models are moving from “nice to have” to necessary.
