Stricter enforcement of U.S. trucking rules — cabotage, B-1 visas, English-language proficiency and driver qualifications — is raising fears of fresh friction on the United States' busiest trade lane, as American and Mexican transport leaders warn against penalizing carriers that follow the rules.

The warnings came during two panel discussions at the International Road Transport Union's (IRU) North American Transportation Forum, held alongside the 2026 National Convention of Mexico's National Chamber of Freight Transportation (CANACAR) in Cancún. Representatives from the American Trucking Associations (ATA), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Werner Enterprises and CANACAR took part.

What does this change for shippers? Potentially, transit times and driver availability on the southern border. Several panelists cautioned that inconsistent application of the rules could create delays, restrict driver supply and complicate freight movement between the U.S. and Mexico — the two countries whose bilateral commerce reached $94.3 billion in August alone, keeping Mexico the top U.S. trading partner.

U.S. executives back tougher enforcement

Derek Leathers, chairman and CEO of Werner Enterprises, said stronger enforcement is needed to stop foreign drivers from illegally moving domestic freight inside the U.S. Under federal cabotage restrictions, foreign drivers may haul qualifying international shipments into and out of the country, but generally can't move domestic freight between two U.S. points.

Leathers also backed federal efforts to crack down on misuse of B-1 business visitor visas — drivers using them for unauthorized domestic trucking — and welcomed the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's intensified enforcement of English-language proficiency standards. The Trump administration has stepped up scrutiny of both, alongside tighter oversight of licensing and training.

His position reflects growing support among U.S. executives for action against carriers operating outside federal requirements. The catch: compliant Mexican carriers could get caught in the same net.

ATA economist calls for fair enforcement

ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello pressed for consistent, proportionate enforcement, noting that North American cross-border trade rebounded in 2026 after a slight dip in 2025. Efficient links between the U.S., Mexico and Canada depend on it.

According to Mexican transport publication Revista Transportes y Turismo, Costello also flagged that some U.S. enforcement personnel may not fully understand the complexities of cabotage rules — a recipe for uncertainty for Mexican carriers operating legally north of the border. He called for continued cooperation among associations, regulators and industry to target violations without disrupting legitimate freight.

Mexican carriers warn of border delays

CANACAR President Augusto Ramos Melo acknowledged the need to fight illegal cabotage but warned that intensified border enforcement could add delays and operational headaches for Mexican trucking companies. He pressed for closer coordination among carriers, customs officials and other supply chain participants.

The practical stakes are real. Extra inspections and documentation requirements complicate driver scheduling, equipment positioning and delivery times. Martin Rojas, IRU's senior adviser for the Americas, moderated the panels and stressed the balance between enforcement and maintaining an adequate supply of qualified drivers.

CBP outlines new border initiatives

Liliana Flores, CBP port director at Del Rio, Texas, said the agency is improving how it processes trade information while expanding cargo-security initiatives, according to Revista Transportes y Turismo. She encouraged Mexican carriers to join the Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT) and CBP's Electronic Export Manifest pilot, whose testing period closes Oct. 23, with data collected to refine systems before broader rollout.

On visas, Justen Thomas of the U.S. Consulate General advised drivers applying for or renewing B-1 visas to prepare thoroughly for interviews, noting English proficiency is among the factors influencing decisions. IRU Goods Transport Council President Iro Doumani offered a European perspective, describing how coordinated regulation and digitalization can balance enforcement with efficient freight movement — while observing that driver shortages persist even in more integrated regions.

M2 Global Logistics launches in Houston

Meiborg Companies and Morales Capital Group have launched M2 Global Logistics, a new 3PL anchored by an 830,000-square-foot industrial campus on 27 acres near downtown Houston. Announced Thursday, the venture pairs Meiborg's trucking and warehousing operations with Morales Capital's international trade and investment arm.

Meiborg, founded in 1981 and headquartered in Rockford, Illinois, runs more than 550 trucks and manages over 4 million square feet of warehouse space across Illinois and Texas. "This partnership evolves a proven regional operation into a truly global 3PL brand," CEO Zach Meiborg said in a statement. The platform will offer domestic trucking, international freight, customs logistics, warehousing, fulfillment and distribution, led by Zach Meiborg, Nick Gibbons and James Cooper alongside Morales executives. Operations begin in the coming months.

Cutter & Buck opens Texas DC

Apparel maker Cutter & Buck opened its fourth North American distribution center on Oct. 7 in Grand Prairie, Texas, in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. The facility will stock sportswear from Cutter & Buck, Clique and Craft, adding inventory capacity and faster fulfillment for central and southern U.S. customers.

It offers weekday UPS and FedEx pickups, local pickup and the company's Share Ship fulfillment program, with in-house embroidery and heat-transfer services due in the first quarter of 2027. Capacity is expected to ramp up over the coming months as testing concludes.

For cross-border watchers, the Cancún message is the one to track: enforcement is tightening, and how uniformly CBP and FMCSA apply it will shape capacity and rates on the U.S.-Mexico lane through 2026.