Tariffs on the Open Road: How Trade Policy Is Hitting Trucking, Retail, and the Holiday Season
- Schulz Trade Law
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Tariffs on the Open Road
Michelle Schulz Explains How Trade Policy Is Hitting Trucking, Retail, and the Holiday Season
As the Supreme Court deliberates on Trump’s tariff authority, trade attorney Michelle Schulz joins SiriusXM’s Road Dog Trucking to discuss how rising duties are driving up prices, tightening inventories, and reshaping the freight economy.
“Not So Merry” Holiday Outlook
Speaking with SiriusXM’s Road Dog Trucking News, Dallas-based trade attorney Michelle Schulz warned that the holidays will bring higher prices, fewer deals, and tighter margins across the retail sector.
“I would say not so merry,” Schulz said. “Prices are going up, and I am planning on higher prices during the Christmas season. We don’t have the Supreme Court ruling on the IEEPA tariffs yet… but we’re already seeing especially high tariffs on countries like India and sectors like shoes and hats—things we buy all the time for Christmas presents.”
While consumers may still celebrate, Schulz said retailers and importers are struggling.
“It’s impossible for some of our clients to provide significant cost reductions in this environment,” she explained. “Buyer beware—holiday deals may not be as great this year.”
Business Belt-Tightening and Industry Whiplash
Beyond the holidays, Schulz warned that the ripple effects of tariffs are dampening hiring, bonuses, and capital investment.
“We’re seeing companies tightening their belts, reducing their workforce, not increasing it,” she said. “In every industry—oil and gas, manufacturing, retail—there’s a combination of confusion and fear.”
She added that even companies with stocked inventory are running out of cushion. “
It’s getting less and less feasible to eat the cost or negotiate cheaper prices with foreign sellers,” she explained.
The uncertainty has led to hesitation in investment and production:
“They’re walking on eggshells. It changes day to day, and even Customs brokers are frustrated—they’re re-evaluating tariff rates constantly, and mistakes are almost inevitable.”
Trucking, Manufacturing, and the Tariff Chain
The trucking industry, Schulz noted, is being hit from both sides—by reduced freight volume and by higher equipment costs.
“We’ll see some trucks a little less full, or combining shipments rather than single loads,” she said. “There are also higher tariffs on certain heavy-duty trucks, so the impact is direct."
Even domestic manufacturing isn’t insulated.
"Any company with metal content in its products is struggling,” Schulz explained. “We’ve had clients using metal detectors in warehouses to find whether there’s steel in something—because it could be subject to a 50% tariff.”
When callers suggested that tariffs could boost U.S. manufacturing, Schulz agreed in theory but cautioned that globalization runs deep.
“Manufacturing in the U.S. involves more foreign products than most people would guess,” she said. “We deal with that every day—there’s always one little part that becomes a problem.”
From importers to truckers, everyone in the supply chain is feeling the tariff strain.
If your company moves, sells, or manufactures goods impacted by recent tariffs, contact Schulz Trade Law today to audit your tariff exposure, review country-of-origin classifications, and develop compliance strategies that protect your bottom line.
Trade on, but trade informed!
Subscribe to Schulz Trade Law for more updates.
About Us
We are a dedicated team of trade law professionals, committed to helping businesses navigate the complexities of international regulations and tariffs. With deep industry knowledge and a client-first approach, we provide clear, actionable insights to protect your interests and drive success in a dynamic global market.
Contact Us
Contact Us
Stay ahead of trade law changes!
Contact us today for guidance on tariffs and regulations to safeguard your business.
Comments