The U.S. trucking industry is responding to Donald Trump’s Nov. 5 presidential election victory with both congratulations and readiness to address key issues with the new administration.
In Canada, the federal government extended a similar message, while the Canadian Chamber of Commerce cautioned that Trump’s proposed policies — including potential tariffs on U.S. imports — could disrupt Canada’s trade flows, prices, and economic stability.
With state-by-state results still being finalized, Trump secured a second term as the 47th U.S. president, surpassing the 270-vote threshold with 277 electoral votes to defeat Democratic candidate Kamala Harris.
TCA, ATA, OOIDA eager to work with new administration
“Our nation has spoken, and TCA congratulates our 47th President Donald J Trump on his decisive victory in the general election,” the Truckload Carriers Association said in a statement. “We look forward to working with his administration and the next Congress to advance the priorities that our truckload membership has identified as important.”
The American Trucking Associations (ATA) echoed these sentiments, commending Trump and Vice President-elect J.D. Vance on their victory.
“President Trump made trucking a priority throughout his first term and partnered with us to enact policies that strengthened the supply chain, grew the economy, and delivered for all Americans,” ATA president and chief executive officer Chris Spear said in a statement. “His second term offers an historic opportunity to build upon that record and show why the best approach to governing is one paved by common sense. That begins by replacing EPA’s electric truck rule with national emission standards that are technologically achievable and account for the operational realities of our essential industry.”
Other than revisiting EPA’s electric-truck rule, Spear highlighted other key policy areas for ATA, including tax reforms with the expiration of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, supporting the trucking workforce, and ending lawsuit abuse by restoring balance and fairness to the civil justice system.
“ATA stands ready to work across the aisle on Capitol Hill to achieve pro-growth tax reform, including repealing the century-old, punitive federal excise tax on heavy-duty trucks and trailers that penalizes our industry for investing in newer, cleaner, and safer equipment,” Spear said.
While congratulating Republicans on their win, Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) president Todd Spencer said that senator Vance is a on record as a co-sponsor of OOIDA’s two critical legislative priorities for truckers – safe parking and speed limiters.
Canada to work with Trump on trade and other issues
Canada’s prime minister Justin Trudeau also congratulated Trump, saying in a statement that Canada and the U.S. have the world’s ‘most successful partnership’, adding the counties are also each other’s largest trade partners whose economies are ‘deeply intertwined’.
“In 2023, trade between Canada and the U.S. amounted to over $1.3 trillion, which means over $3.5 billion worth of goods and services crossed the Canada-U.S. border every single day. Building on Team Canada’s work to deepen this relationship since 2015, bilateral trade between our two countries has increased by over $400 billion,” the statement said. “We look forward to working with President-elect Trump and his administration, including on issues such as trade, investment, and continental peace and security.”
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the Canadian government in maintaining a strong, mutually beneficial economic partnership with the U.S. in its statement, too.
The Chamber underscored the importance of maintaining the secure, efficient flow of goods and people across the border, emphasizing the role of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) in supporting this exchange.
“As we approach the 2026 review of the CUSMA, Canada’s government must collaborate effectively with the Trump administration to preserve and strengthen our bilateral economic partnership,” Chamber president and CEO Candace Laing said. “By resisting tariffs and trade barriers that will only raise prices and hurt consumers in both countries, Canada and the United States can strengthen resilient cross-border supply chains that enhance our shared economic security.”
Proposed tariffs
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce has expressed concerns about the upcoming 2026 review of CUSMA even prior to the election. On July 1, 2026, Canada, U.S., and Mexico will decide whether to extend CUSMA for a new 16-year term. If they choose not to, there will be a review every year until the agreement terminates in 2036. The Chamber notes a growing bipartisan consensus in the U.S. on “Buy American” policies, which it says conflict with CUSMA’s goal of North American economic cooperation.
The Chamber highlighted that the relationship goes well beyond goods trading.
A 10% across-the-board tariff on U.S. imports that Trump proposed in his campaign could result in a significant hit to trade flows, prices, and incomes in both countries.
Provinces heavily dependent on U.S. trade — including Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, and New Brunswick, where such trade accounts for more than 41% of GDP — are expected to bear the brunt of the economic repercussions. Canada is the primary export market for more than 20 states, meaning trade losses would have a ripple effect, with GDP declines likely in several U.S. regions as well, the Chamber added.
The Chamber also estimates that Canadian labor productivity could drop by nearly 1%, impacting workforce efficiency across industries and the tariffs would lead to an average loss of almost $1,100 in real annual income per person in both countries.
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