Trucker Literacy Test

Enforcement Began June 28, 2025

President Donald Trump has signed an executive order mandating that all U.S. truck drivers demonstrate English proficiency, citing safety concerns stemming from communication issues between drivers and officials. The order directs the Department of Transportation to enforce English literacy requirements for commercial drivers and to repeal previous regulations that had relaxed these standards. Drivers who fail to meet the literacy criteria may be placed out of service.

Under the law, drivers must be able to converse with the public, understand highway signs, respond appropriately to official inquiries, and complete required reports accurately. Enforcement begins in 60 days. Violations can result in a $500 fine, which increases to $1,000 for repeat offenses.

While several industry groups, including the American Trucking Association and the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, support the initiative on safety grounds, other stakeholders have raised concerns about potential job losses and disruptions to the supply chain.

This executive order is part of a broader initiative by the Trump administration to emphasize the use of English in the United States. It follows a March 2025 order declaring English the nation’s official language, which also revoked a 2000 executive order designed to expand access to federal services for non-English speakers.

Promoting Resilient Supply Chains Act

The U.S. House has passed the Promoting Resilient Supply Chains Act, a bipartisan measure co-sponsored by Representative Pat Ryan of New York and Representative John James of Michigan. The bill is designed to strengthen domestic supply chains, reduce consumer costs, and support the creation of manufacturing jobs, particularly in regions such as New York’s Hudson Valley.

The legislation places the Department of Commerce’s Assistant Secretary for Industry and Analysis in charge of coordinating federal supply chain stability efforts. It also establishes a government-wide Supply Chain Resilience Working Group tasked with monitoring critical supply chains, modeling potential disruptions, and preparing response strategies. Additional provisions require evaluations of how supply chain shocks affect market stability and the U.S. manufacturing workforce, along with regular public reporting and the development of a National Strategy and Review to guide future resilience planning.

The bill responds directly to weaknesses revealed by recent global events, including pandemics, geopolitical conflict, natural disasters, and the nation’s reliance on foreign sources for essential components and materials.

Minimizing the Risk of Litigation During a Crisis

During times of crisis, whether driven by natural disasters, geopolitical instability, or public health emergencies, supply chains become especially vulnerable. Delays, shortages, and contract disruptions can quickly escalate into legal disputes, exposing businesses to claims from customers, suppliers, and regulators. Proactively managing legal risk is essential to preserving both operational continuity and legal standing.

One of the most common litigation risks during a supply chain disruption involves contractual breaches. Missed delivery deadlines, quality issues, or payment failures can trigger costly claims for damages. Businesses can reduce this exposure by reviewing existing contracts for force majeure provisions, termination rights, and liability limitations. In many cases, working with legal counsel to renegotiate terms or formally document delays can help preserve commercial relationships while minimizing legal risk.

Crisis conditions also tend to generate rapid regulatory change. Industries such as pharmaceuticals, food, and critical infrastructure are especially vulnerable to new emergency orders, import and export restrictions, and safety mandates. Failure to comply can result in fines or enforcement actions. Maintaining a strong compliance function and clear communication channels with regulators allows companies to adapt in real time and avoid inadvertent violations.

Supply chain disruptions can also expose internal governance issues, including whistleblower complaints, fraud, or ethical lapses tied to sourcing and labor practices. High-pressure environments can magnify both legal exposure and reputational harm. Documented crisis response protocols, oversight from legal and compliance teams, and prompt internal investigations are critical when problems arise.

Ultimately, preparation remains the strongest defense against litigation. Scenario planning, legal risk assessments, contingency sourcing strategies, and insurance reviews all contribute to resilience. When legal teams work closely with operations and document decisions made under crisis conditions, businesses are better positioned to defend against future claims and protect long-term stability.

Emerging Threats for 2025

As supply chains become more digitally connected, cyber threats are emerging as one of the most significant risks facing freight forwarders and logistics providers. Ransomware attacks continue to grow in scale and sophistication, targeting manufacturers, logistics companies, and critical software vendors.

In June 2024, a ransomware attack on CDK Global disrupted operations at more than 15,000 car dealerships across North America, causing losses exceeding $1 billion. The incident demonstrated how a single cyber breach can ripple across an entire supply network, forcing widespread operational shutdowns and manual workarounds.

Cyber risks are no longer limited to traditional ransomware. Malicious code is increasingly being embedded into trusted software updates, including development tools, enabling attackers to steal sensitive data and cryptocurrency. Weak security controls among third-party vendors and inadequate authentication practices also expose freight networks to credential theft and lateral movement between connected systems.

At the same time, cybercriminals are leveraging artificial intelligence to automate phishing campaigns, exploit vulnerabilities more rapidly, and evade conventional defenses. These evolving tactics leave many supply chain participants underprepared.

For freight forwarders and logistics companies, cybersecurity has become an operational imperative. Rapid shifts to new suppliers, often driven by tariffs or geopolitical pressure, can introduce hidden vulnerabilities if partners are not thoroughly vetted. As attacks targeting IoT and operational technology systems increase, investment in robust cybersecurity frameworks, secure vendor partnerships, and proactive risk assessments is essential. Protecting the digital supply chain is now a critical component of maintaining operational continuity and customer trust.