C.H. Robinson kicked off the FreightWaves 2026 Freight Market Summit, selected to deliver the event’s keynote for its industry-leading market intelligence and deep visibility into shipper and carrier trends. With bid season under way, the summit brought together shippers and logistics providers to discuss contract and spot rate dynamics and share perspectives on risks as the new year approaches.
In the keynote session, “On the Cusp of 2026: A Look Back and Ahead,” Ryan Hammett, Director of Market Intelligence & Insights, walked through the biggest developments of 2025, such as how tariffs have changed freight flows. Mexico’s electrical and electronic exports, for example, grew strong enough to surpass China as the top U.S. supplier. He also discussed how factors like the persistent freight recession, a muted peak season, and regulatory pressures influenced shipper psychology throughout the year.
Looking ahead to 2026, Hammett outlined a market shaped by both risks and opportunities, with U.S. tariffs and the upcoming U.S.–Mexico–Canada Agreement review influencing outcomes across industries. Absent meaningful changes in trade conditions, automotive may continue to face headwinds in 2026, while non-automotive sectors in Mexico are positioned for continued cross-border growth. Hammett also outlined the macroeconomic factors shippers should monitor as they navigate forecasting, including demand drivers in consumer spending, manufacturing, and housing.
Watch the full keynote below to hear Hammett’s outlook on the market and the signals shippers and carriers should be watching. For deeper insights, the C.H. Robinson Edge report—logistics’ most-read market report—provides additional forward-looking analysis.
Hear from C.H. Robinson at other Freightwaves events:
- Cody Griggs at Future of Freight Festival: Artificial Intelligence that Delivers Real Results
- Veronica Gonzalez at Cross Border Logistics Summit: C.H. Robinson Talks Cross Border Challenges and Opportunities
- Megan Orth at Supply Chain AI Symposium: Beyond the hype--artificial intelligence, real results