U.S.–Mexico cross-border freight is poised to remain a stabilizing force in North American logistics in 2026, according to executives at Uber Freight. In an interview with FreightWaves, Mazen Danaf, senior economist at Uber Freight, and José Guerrero, head of U.S. customs operations, said even as broader U.S. trucking markets grapple with thin margins, tariff uncertainty and unpredictable economic crosscurrents — sustained cross-border demand is reshaping how shippers and carriers should prepare for the y ...

Economic Impact of Government Shutdown - The U.S. government shutdown is causing delays in key economic data, including the September jobs report, which is expected to heighten volatility and reinforce the Federal Reserve's data-dependency dilemma [2][5] - U.S. employers added only 22,000 jobs in August, with the unemployment rate rising to 4.3%, the highest since 2021, indicating a cooling labor market [1][3] Business Confidence and Planning - Businesses rely on official data for hiring, investment, and pricing decisions; the shutdown-induced data blackout undermines confidence and increases planning risk [3][5] - CFOs are advised to prioritize agility in scenario planning to prepare for market volatility and disruptions to federal contracts and operations [5] Employment Trends - In August, employers announced 85,979 job cuts, the highest total for that month since 2020, reflecting a challenging employment landscape [3] - ADP reported a decline of 32,000 jobs in the private sector for September, marking the first back-to-back monthly job losses since 2020 [4] Market Activity - E*TRADE reported that clients were net buyers across all 11 S&P 500 sectors in September, with consumer staples, utilities, and consumer discretionary sectors showing significant net buying activity [8][9] - Despite the defensive appearance of some buying activity, significant investments were made in nuclear power stocks and megacap stocks in the consumer discretionary sector [9] Risk Management Insights - Aon's Global Risk Management Survey indicates a rise in geopolitical volatility risks, now among the top 10 global risks, alongside cyber attacks and economic slowdown [11][12] - Only 14% of organizations track their exposure to the top 10 risks, highlighting a gap in risk management practices [12]