Two major railway companies in the United States apply for merger, aiming to create a cross-country freight network.

On April 30th local time, CCTV reporters learned that the Union Pacific Railroad and Norfolk Southern Railway have submitted a revised merger application, seeking regulatory approval for a $85 billion deal to create the first transcontinental freight railroad operator in the United States. It is expected that this freight network will reduce about 2.1 million trucks on the road and add about 1,200 union jobs within three years. However, this deal has also raised concerns among some industry organizations and state attorneys general, who believe that consolidation in the railroad industry may lead to higher freight rates, longer transit times, and lower service quality. There are reports that the Trump administration supports this merger proposal.