This Week in Freight & Transport — Washington (#6, 2026)

FMCSA finalizes rear impact guard label rule; CBP schedules security summit; Supreme Court ruling disrupts tariff protocols; FAA action on Boeing 787 inspection tapes; Trump administration closes Indonesia trade deal;

This Week in Freight & Transport — Washington (#6, 2026)

This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly digest of regulatory developments, legislative discussions and other government-related news concerning the trucking, rail, and shipping industries, ports, storage centers, cargo and container terminals, international and inter-provincial logistics, fulfillment centres, courier and delivery services. Once a week, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

Want to track the upstream and downstream forces affecting Freight & Transport? Don’t miss this week’s updates in Oil & Gas and Defence. Also consider subscribing to our Freight & Transport - Ottawa edition covering critical GR news north of the border.

Dates: 2026-02-15 to 2026-02-21

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🇺🇸 Federal Government News
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week


Federal Government News

FMCSA Rescinds Certification Label Requirement for Rear Impact Protection Guards

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration issued a final rule that removes the regulation requiring permanent certification labels on rear impact protection guards for trailers and semitrailers. The rule eliminates the need for motor carriers to display manufacturer certification labels, which have often become illegible over the course of service. Motor carriers will no longer receive citations during federal and state inspections for missing or degraded labels. The underlying NHTSA safety requirements on rear impact guards at the time of manufacture remain in force. The new rule takes effect March 23, 2026, and rescinds related guidance, with cost savings for carriers expected to be limited.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov
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CBP Announces 2026 Trade and Cargo Security Summit

U.S. Customs and Border Protection will host the Trade and Cargo Security Summit from April 28-30, 2026, in Dallas, Texas. The event will feature CBP officials alongside trade community and government representatives, addressing various topics relevant to international trade and transportation. Registration opened February 11, 2026, with in-person and virtual attendance options. Panel discussions are scheduled for all three days, and registration will close on April 16 for in-person and April 24 for virtual attendees.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

FAA Invites Comments on Survey Evaluating Airport Ramp Worker Safety

The Federal Aviation Administration is seeking public input for a new information collection regarding airport ramp worker safety. The survey, mandated by Section 353 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, targets hazards related to ingestion and jet blast zones. Electronic questionnaires will gather insights from ramp workers, ground service providers, airline operators, and safety personnel about training practices and hazard mitigation. The data will be used to identify trends and inform potential regulatory enhancements. The comment deadline is March 23, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Supreme Court Tariff Decision Prompts Administrative Adjustments

The U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling impacting tariff application and administrative protocols. The decision requires adjustments in compliance and reporting for affected industries, including import and export operations. Federal agencies are reviewing their procedures in response to the new legal requirements.

Sources: www.wsj.com

Trump Administration Finalizes Trade Deal with Indonesia

The Trump Administration announced the completion of a trade agreement with Indonesia, involving $33 billion in commercial arrangements. Indonesia will eliminate tariffs on over 99% of U.S. exports, adopt forced labor import bans, and participate in the Global Forum on Steel Excess Capacity. U.S. exporters will have enhanced access for energy, aviation, and agriculture, with Freeport-McMoRan expanding mining operations generating $10 billion annually. The U.S. maintains a 19% reciprocal tariff rate for most Indonesian imports, aim is to reduce the bilateral trade deficit.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov
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What We're Reading This Week

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