TIA issues strong warning against rate intrusion proposal: A threat to small business, free markets and consumer prices

The Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA), representing the $343 billion third-party logistics industry, today issued a firm warning against a proposed rule or statutory provisions that would enhance and mandate rate intrusion, calling the move a threat to small businesses, a danger to consumer prices, and a slippery slope for regulatory overreach.

The proposed policy, recently promoted in Senate testimony by the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA), would require freight brokers and shippers to disclose proprietary pricing and contract information, upending the confidentiality that underpins competitive market negotiations.

The following is a statement from TIA President and CEO Chris Burroughs:

“This is a 1980s-era regulation being weaponized in 2025. It should be withdrawn immediately. Congress and regulators should focus on real solutions to freight fraud and market abuse—not misguided policies that punish legitimate players and destabilize the supply chain.

“This isn’t about protecting truckers—it’s about handing private business information to competitors under the guise of transparency. We find it an amazing irony that OOIDA erroneously links this issue to fraud when the only theft taking place is the trade secrets they’re trying to extract from brokers and shippers.

“If enacted, the rule or statutory provision would set a dangerous precedent not just for the logistics industry, but for all sectors of the American economy. If this can happen to freight brokers today, who’s next? Will General Motors be forced to disclose what it pays for steel? Will Walmart have to publish its vendor contracts? The competitive market depends on private negotiations. This proposal dismantles that.

“The vast majority of TIA members are small businesses—more than 70% generate under $15 million in annual revenue. Requiring these firms to disclose negotiated pricing would increase administrative burdens, narrow margins, and risk forcing many to close. The effects won’t stop with brokers.

“Higher freight costs ultimately mean higher prices at the checkout counter. At a time when American families are still recovering from inflation-- this policy would raise costs across the board.

“There are load boards, rate benchmarking tools, and widespread technology platforms that already support a real-time, competitive freight marketplace. Forcing rate disclosure adds government interference where none is needed.

“We applaud the current administration for its ongoing efforts to reduce regulatory burdens and support small businesses. But this proposal stands in direct contrast to that goal—imposing new compliance hurdles with no clear benefit to safety or market efficiency.”

This article does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the AJOT editorial board or Fleur de lis Publishing, Inc. and its owners.