Download the Q2 2025 U.S. Economic Update

In Partnership with FTR Transportation Intelligence

2025 Q2 U.S. Economic Update

Tariffs, Trade Shifts, and Trucking Trends 

The United States freight economy is entering uncharted territory. With sweeping new tariffs, fluctuating industrial output, and volatile consumer demand, transportation leaders are facing more uncertainty than ever. The National Motor Freight Traffic Association, Inc. (NMFTA)™, in partnership with leading economist Avery Vise of FTR Transportation Intelligence, has put together the Q2 2025 U.S. Economic Update to help you adapt and lead. This data-driven update cuts through the noise to show how trade policy, inflation, and freight-sensitive sectors are reshaping the road ahead.

What's Inside the Update:

  • Tariff Impact Analysis: Understand how reciprocal tariffs and trade tensions with China are disrupting imports, freight volumes, and long-term planning;
  • Sector Deep Dives: Explore the latest data on industrial production, consumer spending, and manufacturing;
  • Revised Economic Forecasts: Get updated GDP and freight-sector growth projections for 2025–2026, factoring in the latest inflation and trade dynamics; and
  • Freight and Trucking Trends: See how less than truckload (LTL) employment, carrier utilization, and freight rates are shifting and what early indicators suggest about what’s coming next.

Stay informed, stay ahead, and stay agile, download the Q2 2025 U.S. Economic Update now. 

 

The National Motor Freight Traffic Association, Inc. (NMFTA)™ in partnership with Avery Vise of FTR Transportation Intelligence proudly brings you the Q2 2025 U.S. Economic Update which features insights specific to the trucking industry. 

* This update has been written and prepared by Avery Vise of FTR Transportation Intelligence

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Avery Vise

– Vice President

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Avery Vise has closely studied the transportation industry for nearly 40 years as an editor, analyst, and researcher, including more than 25 years dedicated specifically to the trucking industry. Currently, he is vice president of trucking for FTR Transportation Intelligence, which specializes in forecasting and data analysis in freight transportation. He serves as FTR’s chief analyst for trucking-related market data and insights concerning truck freight demand, capacity, rates, and regulatory impacts.

Vise is the principal author of FTR’s monthly Trucking Update report and contributes to the firm’s Shippers Update and Truck and Trailer Outlook services. He leads the weekly Spot Market Insights analysis, hosts the weekly Trucking Market Update podcast, and is a primary contributor to FTR’s Weekly Transportation Update publication. Another major focus is tracking trucking fleets’ driver and truck capacity and leading client projects to size markets for specific types of trucking operations. Vise also conducts regular webinars for clients and is a frequent speaker at conferences.

Prior to joining FTR in 2017, Avery was principal of his own transportation consulting and market research practice. Previously, he served as head of trucking market research and analysis for a media organization and as chief editor of a trucking industry magazine. Vise started his career at McGraw-Hill as an editor covering the commercial aviation industry before shifting his focus to the trucking industry in 1998.

About the Quarterly Updates

NMFTA is committed to providing valuable insights to the freight industry through its quarterly economic updates. These updates aim to illuminate lesser-known trends across the broader freight market that could potentially impact businesses. Additionally, they offer interpretations of current trucking industry trends, helping businesses understand the underlying factors shaping their experiences.

Through this initiative, the NMFTA strives to empower businesses with comprehensive and relevant market intelligence, enabling them to navigate the dynamic and often complex freight landscape with greater confidence.