Trucking Crisis Has the U.S. Looking for More Drivers Abroad

A shortage of truckers across the U.S. has become so severe that companies are trying to bring in drivers from abroad like seemingly never before.The U.S. has been grappling with a chronic lack of drivers for years, but the shortage reached crisis levels because of the pandemic, which simultaneously sent demand for shipped goods soaring while touching off a surge in early retirements. The consequences have been both dire and far-reaching: Filling stations have had gasoline outages. Airports have run short on jet fuel. A stainless-steel maker declared force majeure. And lumber prices hit a record, with some suppliers partly blaming delivery delays.