Trucking News Roundup: U.S. Puts Tariffs Near 260% on Chinese Van Trailers, FMCSA Drops 10,000-Plus Training Providers, Small-Carrier Bankruptcies Hit 221, Diesel Holds Above $6.35, and New Recalls for Kenworth, Peterbilt and Volvo (Oct 29, 2026)

U.S. puts duties near 260% on Chinese van trailers

Transport Topics and Bloomberg (Oct 28, 2026): The Commerce Department set combined anti-dumping and countervailing duties of about 260% on van-type trailers imported from China, effective Oct. 28 and in place for at least five years. A separate probe into trailers from Mexico and Canada is expected to wrap up early in 2027. The American Trailer Manufacturers Coalition estimates about 40% of van trailers sold in the U.S. are built in China, Mexico or Canada. Great Dane's CEO said the number of U.S. trailer makers has shrunk from about 20 to roughly six, and Stoughton Trailers said it plans to add 500 to 700 workers over the next six months.

What it means: What it means for shippers and owner-operators: Trailer supply and pricing could shift as imports get more expensive and U.S. plants ramp up. If you are an owner-operator weighing a trailer purchase, compare that against leasing on: https://maaslogistic.com/drive-with-us/lease-trailers · owner-operator program: https://maaslogistic.com/drive-with-us/owner-operators. Shippers who need dry van capacity out of Texas: https://maaslogistic.com/services/dry-van-trucking · https://maaslogistic.com/quote.

• Source: Transport Topics — U.S. tariff on Chinese trailers

FMCSA drops more than 10,000 training providers and 100-plus ELDs

FreightWaves (Oct 28, 2026): Speaking at a fleet safety summit in Jacksonville, Fla., FMCSA Chief Safety Officer Steve Dowling said the agency has removed more than 10,000 entry-level driver training providers from its Training Provider Registry since December 2025. FMCSA has also removed more than 100 noncompliant ELD models from its list and blocked about 600 more from registering. Dowling said the agency's new Motus registration system is about 95% functional, with the biennial update requirement suspended for now; that the agency is working chameleon-carrier cases with the Justice Department and FBI; and that more hours-of-service flexibility, including sleeper-berth and 14-hour changes, plus a review of the Safety Measurement System, are targeted for 2027.

What it means: What it means for drivers: If you are getting your CDL, confirm your school is still listed on the Training Provider Registry before you pay, and make sure your ELD is still on FMCSA's approved list. Keep watching for the 2027 hours-of-service changes. Safety at Maas: https://maaslogistic.com/company/safety · company driver jobs: https://maaslogistic.com/drive-with-us/company-drivers.

• Source: FreightWaves — FMCSA removes 10,000-plus driver training providers amid safety push

Small trucking bankruptcies reach 221 this year

Transport Topics and Bloomberg (Oct 28, 2026): Small trucking companies have filed 221 bankruptcies so far in 2026, according to Bloomberg data. In a Truckstop and Bloomberg Intelligence survey, about two-thirds of small carriers said revenue was flat or down, and roughly 40% said they expect to be out of business, or were unsure whether they would still be operating, within six months.

What it means: What it means for owner-operators and shippers: High fuel and soft rates are squeezing the smallest fleets hardest, so know your real cost per mile: https://maaslogistic.com/blog/2026-10-24-owner-operator-cost-per-mile-texas-break-even. Owner-operators at Maas keep 87–90% of gross with non-forced dispatch: https://maaslogistic.com/drive-with-us/owner-operators. Shippers should check that their carrier runs its own trucks — Maas is asset-based and never re-brokers freight: https://maaslogistic.com/quote.

• Source: Transport Topics — Small trucking bankruptcies

Diesel stays above $6.35 as oil climbs after a Saudi refinery attack

Transport Topics, Associated Press and EIA (Oct 28, 2026): The U.S. average retail diesel price was $6.352 a gallon on Oct. 26, according to the Energy Information Administration, compared with $3.718 a year earlier. Brent crude rose 2.7% to $112.39 a barrel on Oct. 28 after Iran-backed Houthi rebels attacked a major Saudi refinery. In Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott's Sept. 28 disaster proclamation suspends penalties for using dyed diesel on state roads, with no set end date, though the 20-cent-a-gallon state tax is still owed for highway use. Federally, Executive Order 14435 waives penalties and lets fuel users defer the 24.4-cent federal excise tax on dyed diesel used on highways until Dec. 31.

What it means: What it means for drivers and shippers: Fuel is still the biggest cost on every load. Drivers running dyed diesel in Texas should keep records for the state tax. Texas freight: https://maaslogistic.com/lanes/freight-shipping-texas · https://maaslogistic.com/lanes/dallas-fort-worth-freight-shipping · reefer: https://maaslogistic.com/services/refrigerated-trucking.

• Source: Transport Topics — Oil prices rise after Saudi refinery attack
• Source: Transport Topics — Dyed diesel relief in states

Recalls for Kenworth, Peterbilt and Volvo; PAM seeks permit-holder exemption

Overdrive (Oct 28, 2026): Paccar is recalling about 310 Kenworth and Peterbilt sleeper trucks because sleeper bunk restraint webbing may not have been secured properly at the factory (NHTSA recall 26V-674; owner letters expected Dec. 13). Volvo Trucks North America is recalling about five model year 2025–26 VNL trucks whose cabs may have loose or missing structural bolts (NHTSA 26V-677; letters expected Dec. 14). Separately, PAM Transport has asked FMCSA for an exemption that would let commercial learner's permit holders who have passed the CDL skills test drive without a CDL holder in the passenger seat; public comments are open through Nov. 27.

What it means: What it means for drivers: Check your VIN on NHTSA's recall site if you drive a newer Kenworth, Peterbilt or Volvo VNL. Yesterday's roundup: https://maaslogistic.com/news/2026-10-28-mexico-blockades-lifted-port-houston-imports-werner-fuel-lag-georgia-diesel-tax.

• Source: Overdrive — FMCSA's complaint system renamed; recall hits KWs, Petes, Volvos

For shippers and drivers (Thursday note)

Shippers: with trailers getting pricier, small fleets under pressure and fuel above $6, line up dependable capacity before peak season. Maas runs dry van and reefer full truckload out of Melissa and DFW across 48 states with our own trucks, never re-brokered, and dispatch answers 24/7: https://maaslogistic.com/quote · https://maaslogistic.com/lanes/melissa-freight-shipping. If a load does go wrong, here is how to file a freight claim: https://maaslogistic.com/blog/2026-10-28-how-to-file-a-freight-claim-shipper-guide.

Drivers: company drivers earn 50+ CPM dry van / 60+ CPM reefer — https://maaslogistic.com/drive-with-us/company-drivers. Owner-operators keep 87–90% of gross with non-forced dispatch — https://maaslogistic.com/drive-with-us/owner-operators.

What it means: Need a truck: https://maaslogistic.com/quote. Hiring CDL-A company drivers: https://maaslogistic.com/drive-with-us/company-drivers. Owner-operators: https://maaslogistic.com/drive-with-us/owner-operators. Phone: (916) 770-7323 | Melissa, TX / DFW | USDOT 3179194. Maas Logistics LLC | 1817 Miller Rd #5, Melissa, TX 75454 | dispatch@maaslogistic.com. The Logistics Partner that Delivers.