Daimler Truck Holding AG expects U.S. orders to remain at “extremely” low levels until uncertainty over President Donald Trump’s trade policies subsides and freight volumes begin to recover.

Chief financial officer Eva Scherer said logistics companies have cut back on truck purchases amid a drop in shipments of tariff-hit goods such as steel and aluminum. U.S. imports have fallen sharply since the introduction of the tariffs, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. 

“We’re in a situation where it’s very difficult to predict from a CFO perspective,” Scherer told Bloomberg News. “Scenario planning is more important than ever.”

The comments underscore the industry’s struggle in the U.S. as trade disruptions delay investment in new fleets. Daimler Truck’s North America business posted a 20% sales decline in the second quarter.

Scherer said China’s curbs on rare earth exports posed logistical challenges, though Daimler Truck avoided disruptions by stockpiling key components in advance.

Meanwhile, the company’s push to sell zero-emission vehicles in North America has lost momentum due to flagging customer demand and a lack of charging infrastructure.

“We cannot force our customers to buy battery electric vehicles they can’t charge or run economically,” Scherer said, adding diesel trucks will remain the core offering in the region through 2030.