Washington's aggressive stance against drivers not residing in the US, coupled with stricter regulations on driving schools and a mandatory English language proficiency test, seems to be fundamentally altering the US trucking market. This development is leading to predictions of significant industry shifts that will likely cause a rapid increase in prices, even amidst a struggling market. However, not everyone is convinced by these forecasts.

For more than two years, US truck drivers have faced challenges in a market marked by weak demand, excess capacity, and declining...