Mexico, Canada get 30-day delay on tariffs

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Trucking news and briefs for Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025:

Trump pauses North American tariffs for 30 days

Sweeping tariffs aimed at Canadian, Mexican and Chinese imports that were supposed to start today got a 30-day reprieve, at least for the U.S.'s neighbors to the north and south. 

Mexico and Canada each struck agreements Monday with the Trump administration to pause tariffs for 30 days, but a 10% duty on products from China is still set to take effect Tuesday. 

President Donald Trump on Saturday announced tariffs on Canada and Mexico, two of the U.S. largest global import and export partners, making good on his campaign promise to tack a 25% duty on goods imported from those countries as a means to pressure Canada and Mexico to act on illicit drugs and illegal immigrants crossing the north and south U.S. borders. 

Mexico on Monday committed to sending troops to the U.S.-Mexico border, buying the country a 30-day delay. In a post to his Truth Social platform Monday afternoon, President Trump said he planned to pause the looming tariffs on Canada for 30 days “to see whether or not a final Economic deal with Canada can be structured." Adding, "Canada has agreed to ensure we have a secure Northern Border, and to finally end the deadly scourge of drugs like Fentanyl that have been pouring into our Country, killing hundreds of thousands of Americans, while destroying their families and communities all across our Country."

Army veteran Maverick driver to pilot ‘Salute’ truck

Maverick driver Darryl Hammond and Salute truckArmy veteran and Maverick Transportation road trainer Darryl Hammond is the 11th Maverick driver to pilot a Maverick “Salute” truck.Maverick Transportation

Maverick Transportation (CCJ Top 250, No. 70) on Monday announced its newest veteran tribute truck driver, 2022 Dedicated Driver of the Year, Army veteran and road trainer, Darryl Hammond. He is now the 11th driver to pilot a Maverick “Salute” truck.

Hammond has been a Maverick driver for almost 19 years and has achieved an incredible number of accomplishments during that time. Not only is he an Army veteran, but since starting with Maverick, he has trained over 59 student drivers, was a Dedicated Driver of the Month and was named Maverick’s 2022 Dedicated Driver of the Year.

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When asked about the opportunity to drive Salute, Darryl said, “I am so proud to be a part of this. This is such an honor,” Hammond said of the opportunity to drive the “Salute” truck. He credited his wife of 17 years as his motivation to keep trucking. “She is my rock and makes me a better person,” he added.

The “Salute” veteran tribute truck was first introduced in 2018 with the goal of portraying honor and pride in military veterans and active-duty service members. Its distinctive vinyl wrap portrays each branch of the United States military. Maverick currently has five veteran drivers that operate Salute trucks.

Maverick has also had the honor of hauling The Wall That Heals, a traveling replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. The exhibit tours across the United States, providing veterans the opportunity to view The Wall and experience its healing legacy – all within the comfort of family and friends in their communities.

The Salute drivers participate in Veterans Day events each November and other veteran-focused events throughout the year. The goal of each Maverick veteran truck is to portray honor and pride throughout the United States and to be a small way to thank each veteran and active service member.

XPO recognizes million-mile safe drivers

XPO (CCJ Top 250, No. 7) recently announced that 246 of its truck drivers achieved million-mile safe driving milestones in 2024. Collectively, the recognized drivers have driven over 308 million consecutive accident-free miles, equivalent to roughly 12,379 trips around the Earth.

Of the 246 drivers, 199 reached one million consecutive accident-free miles, while 35 drivers surpassed two million miles. Additionally, XPO celebrated nine drivers for achieving three million consecutive accident-free miles, including the 100th driver in company history to accomplish this feat. 

Three drivers were recognized by XPO for reaching four million consecutive accident-free miles last year: Dale Williams of Knoxville, Tennessee; Doug Phelps of Clearfield, Pennsylvania; and Darrell Thompson of Indianapolis, Indiana. The three drivers have a combined 116 years of accident-free driving at XPO.

“I want to congratulate our 246 drivers who reached one million or more consecutive accident-free miles last year,” said Mario Harik, XPO’s chief executive officer. “I am grateful for everything they do to serve our customers and keep our roads safe, and I look forward to recognizing many more drivers in the coming year.”

Mack recalls severe-duty models over ABS issue

Mack Trucks is recalling approximately 142 severe-duty units that are missing the anti-lock brake (ABS) warning light and circuitry that controls the anti-lock brake function for an attached trailer, according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration documents.

The recall affects model year 2010-’18 Mack MRU and 2019-’25 Mack TerraPro vehicles spec’d to tow trailers.

With the lack of ABS warning light and circuitry, the trucks do not comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 121, "Air Brake Systems." Driving without a functioning anti-lock brake system may result in the trailer not braking as intended, increasing the risk of a crash, the recall noted.

Dealers will add an ABS warning light and circuitry, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 21. Owners can contact Mack's customer service at 1-800-866-1177 with recall number SC0474. NHTSA’s recall number is 25V-030.

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