Mack to the future: Trump touts Iran deal energy boom that could boost trucking biz

With the midterm elections picture now in clear view, President Donald Trump is keeping his public comments focused on economic growth and the price of oil and gas. That focus was on display at a Mack Trucks plant in Pennsylvania Tuesday, then again on Capitol Hill Wednesday.

"The war is going very well. As you know, we're winning by a lot, Iran is making very big concessions. We'll see what happens, but it's been very, very powerful," Trump told the press during a jaunt to Capitol Hill Wednesday to whip Senate Republicans in support of the election integrity bill, the SAVE America Act. 

Trump claims policies are delivering for American factory workers

On Tuesday, Trump toured the Mack Trucks assembly plant in Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley, casting the heavy-duty manufacturer’s booming production as fresh proof that his tariffs and energy policies are delivering for American factory workers days after brokering an Iran interim agreement.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ Mack Trucks, a subsidiary of the Volvo Group, is one of North America's premier manufacturers of heavy-duty trucks, engines, and transmissions.

During the dual-purpose rally and factory excursion to Lower Macungie Township, Trump highlighted the company's tangible momentum and strategic investments amid a recovering heavy-duty truck sector.

Trump's 2025 tariffs on imported medium and heavy-duty trucks, parts, and related goods (especially the 25% duties announced early in the year and effective October 1 on non-North American builds) created significant market uncertainty, raised equipment and component costs and prompted fleets to delay new truck purchases. 

It was particularly necessary messaging in a district that is critical to Democrats in their quest in November to flip just three seats to retake the majority in the U.S. House. 

Pennsylvania's 7th district is currently represented by Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R, who Democrats view as vulnerable due to its classification as a toss-up (R+1) by the Cook Political Report. 

Over the past five years, the company has invested more than $73 million in upgrades, with an additional $80 million committed for future lines, while Mack Defense continues to fulfill multi-million-dollar federal contracts for heavy dump trucks. 

The sprawling 1.7-million-square-foot factory assembles every Class 8 Mack truck sold in North America, including the new aerodynamic "Pioneer" highway model that entered production in 2025, and employs roughly 2,800 workers with annual capacity exceeding 24,000 vehicles in strong years. 

While the broader Class 8 market experienced softness and temporary layoffs due to the tariffs, Trump utilized the active assembly lines, new model rollout, and defense work to showcase American manufacturing revival, crediting his tariffs, “hire American” policies, and post-Iran energy stability for lower diesel costs that support trucking and freight. 

The Iran effect on energy and trucking

The U.S.-Iran Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which includes the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and temporary waivers allowing Iranian crude exports, is already delivering measurable relief to the trucking industry by easing fuel costs. 

Amid the ongoing conflict, in February, Iranian actions effectively closed the strait — through which roughly 20% of global oil and LNG trade passes — driving Brent Crude above $100–$120 per barrel at peaks and pushing U.S. gasoline and diesel prices sharply higher.

National gas averages exceeded $4/gallon and diesel spiked further.

The MOU signed June 14 quickly reversed this. Oil prices fell 3–5% immediately upon the announcement and continued declining, with Brent settling around $77–$83 per barrel in mid-to-late June. U.S. gas prices dropped below $4/gallon for the first time since March. 

For trucking, this translates directly to lower diesel expenses — often 20–40% of operating costs for fleets. Stabilized Hormuz shipping reduces insurance premiums, freight volatility, and global supply disruptions, while increased Iranian (and overall) oil flows ease upward pressure on refined products. 

At his Mack Trucks visit, Trump explicitly tied the “Iran peace dividend” to cheaper diesel, supporting heavy-duty manufacturers, freight haulers, and logistics amid a recovering Class 8 sector.