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Freight Tonnage Rises Amid Economic Concerns and Tariffs

9/25/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Truck freight tonnage rose 0.9% in August, after a 1.1% July gain, per the American Trucking Associations (ATA).
Manufacturing activity rose 0.2% in August, but housing starts fell 8.5%.
ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello warned tariffs and a softening labor market could depress future freight levels.
Tariffs reached 19.5% effective rate—the highest since the 1930s—and consumer confidence declined in August.

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Story summary

Truck freight tonnage rose 0.9% in August, after a 1.1% July gain, per the American Trucking Associations (ATA).
Manufacturing activity rose 0.2% in August, but housing starts fell 8.5%.
ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello warned tariffs and a softening labor market could depress future freight levels.
Tariffs reached 19.5% effective rate—the highest since the 1930s—and consumer confidence declined in August.