Download slides
USMCA feedback requested while new port fees go into effect
USMCA review process has begun
The United States has formally outlined its process for gathering public feedback on the U.S.–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA), publishing a Federal Register notice that opens a 45-day comment period. The agreement, which took effect in July 2020, runs through July 1, 2036, with a mandated joint review scheduled for 2026. At that review, the three countries will decide whether to extend the deal for another 16 years or allow it to expire in 2036.
In preparation, each country is soliciting input from stakeholders on the agreement’s impact on trade balance, market access, business competitiveness, investment, and economic security. The U.S. notice, published September 17, sets a deadline of midnight EST on November 1, 2025, for public comments.
The review comes at a pivotal time for North American trade policy. While the USMCA remains the backbone of cross-border commerce, ongoing tariff disputes and broader policy uncertainty continue to influence the agenda. Given these recent trade policy changes and disputes, it is a possibility that this review process could turn into a renegotiation process.
The decisions made in the joint review will be central to shaping how the agreement evolves and how it supports regional supply chains in the decade ahead. Interested parties may submit written comments via the U.S. government provided portal using the instructions outlined in the Federal Register notice.
Maritime fees go live
Beginning October 14, 2025, the United States will implement new port fees on vessels with ties to China, as announced by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) on April 17, 2025. This move is aimed at curbing China’s influence in global shipbuilding and maritime logistics.
The tiered fee structure targets Chinese-owned ships, non-Chinese operators using Chinese-built vessels, and foreign-built vehicle carriers, with charges set to increase gradually through 2028. The fees will be assessed at a vessel’s first U.S. port of entry, capped at five assessments annually, and enforced by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
While industry groups have raised concerns about higher costs and potential disruption, significant rate impacts for shippers are not expected. Ocean carriers are likely to adjust vessel rotations to limit exposure, deciding which ships call U.S. ports in order to mitigate fees. This flexibility, combined with slack in global shipping capacity, should help absorb much of the impact and prevent broad cost increases from reaching shippers.
Potential U.S. government shutdown impact on freight flows
As the possibility of a government shutdown approaches, most operations at USDOT and FMCSA are expected to remain open, since their funding streams are not tied to shutdown-related negotiations. Overall, freight impacts should be limited, but there are several areas to monitor closely. First, the Energy Information Agency may pause publication of its weekly diesel price, which is released on Mondays and serves as the benchmark for adjusting fuel surcharges in long-term contracts—the first potential missed update would be October 6. Second, delays could occur in import inspections by “partner government agencies” such as USDA or EPA. While U.S. customs is considered essential, these other agencies sometimes fall outside priority staffing. Finally, non-essential government freight movements may be paused, though this volume is typically small enough that it would not meaningfully affect the broader market.