TFI International Lowers Forecast as Tariffs Slam Freight Demand

by TRUCKERS VA
(UNITED STATES)

🛑 Big freight just blinked.

TFI International, one of North America's top dogs in transportation and logistics, just lowered its revenue forecast — and the reason isn’t a mystery. It’s the tariff game again, and this time it’s slicing deeper than a razor on recapped rubber.

If you’re an everyday trucker or an owner-operator trying to figure out why your loads are drying up, rates are stalling, or contracts keep getting “re-evaluated” — this might be why.

What’s Going On?

TFI’s leadership said it loud and clear:

“Tariffs are dragging down demand, and it’s hurting freight volumes across the board.”

With less freight moving between borders, especially between the U.S. and Canada or Mexico, there’s less need for trucks, fewer loads, and a whole lot more sitting.

And when TFI — with thousands of trucks and dozens of subsidiaries — says it’s feeling the squeeze, you better believe it’s not just a fluke.

How Tariffs Tank the Trucking Game

1. Cross-Border Freight Shrinks:
When tariffs hit, importers and exporters slow down or stop shipments. That means fewer north-south loads for cross-border carriers like TFI, and less work for U.S. drivers, too.

2. Manufacturing Pulls Back:
Tariffs hit raw materials hard. So when steel or electronics get taxed heavier, manufacturers cut production — which means fewer finished goods to haul.

3. Fuel Prices and Inflation Creep Up:
Tariffs often raise consumer prices, which slows demand, squeezes budgets, and hits O/Os hard in the wallet — especially when you're paying for every drop of diesel yourself.

Truckers Say: “This Ain’t Just Economics — It’s Personal”

Drivers on the ground are already seeing it:

🗣️ “One week I’m running steady, the next I’m stuck waiting for freight. Brokers say ‘it’s slow everywhere.’”
🗣️ “They tell us to deadhead 200 miles just to ‘stay in the game.’ That ain’t a strategy — that’s desperation.”
🗣️ “I’ve been out here 15 years. I’ve seen downturns. But this one feels like a slow bleed.”

The frustration isn’t just about tariffs. It’s about how working-class truckers always eat the loss, while the suits use phrases like “adjusted guidance.”

What TFI’s Forecast Really Means

Let’s call it like it is:

TFI dialing back its outlook means:

Fewer long-haul and cross-border runs

Pressure on rates across lanes, not just international ones

More broker shenanigans, with tighter margins and even tighter timelines

Carrier consolidation — with smaller operations possibly getting bought out or squeezed out

And here’s the kicker: this could trickle into the spot market, hitting O/Os and leased-on drivers the hardest.

Should You Panic? Nope. But You Should Prepare.

If you’re an experienced driver, you know trucking runs in cycles. But this one’s got tariffs, inflation, labor costs, and freight market shifts all stacked like a double-deep pallet with no shrink wrap.

Here’s what you should do:

1. Know Your Numbers:
If you're O/O or leased-on, tighten up your budget, watch your fuel costs, and don't jump on every shiny load.

2. Diversify Your Freight:
Look beyond traditional lanes. Short-haul, regional, or even hot shot work could help bridge gaps.

3. Start Building That Backup Plan:
Now’s the time to start stacking off-duty income. Waiting until you’re broke to pivot is a rookie mistake.

Bottom Line: Tariffs Ain’t Just Politics — They Hit Your Paycheck

What happens in D.C. or Ottawa might feel a million miles away when you’re idling at a shipper — but make no mistake: tariff decisions are steering your paycheck.

TFI lowering its forecast is a warning shot, not just for investors — but for every driver depending on steady freight to feed their family.

So be smart. Be alert. And most of all — be ready to adjust.

🚨

CTA: Learn the Business — Own Your Income

Don’t just wait for freight to pick back up.
👉 Get the real trucking game plan at LifeAsATrucker.com

Want to start building money while you’re off duty or waiting on freight?
👉 Head to OffDutyMoney.com
and learn how smart truckers are earning online without quitting the road.

Because let’s be honest — you can’t depend on anyone else to fix this industry.
You’ve got to steer your own future.