Former Texas Governor Rick Perry has called for national adoption of autonomous trucking, warning that failure to embrace driverless technology could cost the US a strategic industry to China, reports Fox News.

Mr Perry said artificial intelligence is transforming logistics and that autonomy is essential to solving driver shortages, rising costs and global competition. He cited the American Trucking Association�� estimate of an 80,000-driver shortfall, projected to double by 2030.

China already operates autonomous freight systems across 85 per cent of its highways. Mr Perry warned that without action, the US risks losing economic and geopolitical influence in next-generation transportation.

By 2035, 13 per cent of US trucks are expected to be autonomous, representing a US$178 billion market. Globally, the sector could reach $616 billion, with China forecast to lead at $327 billion.

Perry said autonomy improves safety, with human error causing 90 per cent of truck accidents. Full automation could save $36 billion annually in accident-related costs.

Autonomous trucks also offer near-continuous operation, speeding up deliveries and reserving human drivers for local routes. Perry said new jobs in fleet monitoring and logistics coordination will emerge as autonomy scales.

He pointed to Texas as a model, where clear regulations have enabled driverless freight runs between Dallas and Houston. One fleet has logged over 20,000 autonomous miles since May.

States like Arizona and New Mexico are following suit, while Perry criticised California for regulatory delays. He urged Washington to adopt Texas-style policies to secure the future of American freight.