Threatening drastic action against Mexico, President Donald Trump declared he is likely to shut down America’s southern border next week unless Mexican authorities immediately halt all illegal immigration. Such a severe move could hit the economies of both countries, but the president emphasized, “I am not kidding around.”I'm not worried about it. Trump is blowing hot air in the hope of scaring the Mexicans to do what he wants. That is Trump's forte. He's not going to carry it out.
“It could mean all trade” with Mexico, Trump said when questioned Friday by reporters in Florida. “We will close it for a long time.”
But if he does, it'll likely cause economic turmoil. That'll effect a lot of industry, which will then result in layoffs, which will hit states hard that voted for him.
That would be bad. But this is the president we have; an impulsive man-toddler who will do anything to ensure that his name is the number one story in the news cycle. he doesn't give a shit about anything else.
There is no point worry about it. Trump will do it or not do it, depending on what the low-wattage talking heads on Fox say to him. They are the only people he cares about.
Let’s see, in Texas alone:
ReplyDelete1) Agricultural/Economic hit from blocked food imports rotting at the border.
2) Agricultural/Economic hit from blocked field workers.
3) Educational hit from children who cross the border for school being blocked.
4) Educational/Economic hit from the loss of income to schools, because the State of Texas pays per student day attended.
5) Manufacturing/Economic hit from the blockage of supplies, parts and materials from crossing in BOTH directions.
6) Economic hit from tourist losses as people skip visiting border towns as a part of visiting Mexico.
7) Legal morass as the President can likely close specific ports of entry, but the border as a whole is likely a Congressional function.
8) Economic hit from the inflation caused by the removal of 50% of the United States fruit and vegetable supplies, and that’s before the additional reduction in U.S. production due to a shortage of field workers.
So, Donnie has already knocked about 0.6%-1.1% off U.S. growth with his ill advised shutdown, and now looks to drive the U.S. economy into recession. Did I mention the likely economic hit from killing off the ACA? The shutdown of expanded hospitals and rural facilities as health care coverage is slashed by over 20 million plus will knock another 0.5-1.0% of growth. Go Donnie, go!
"Fearful Leader" says he goes with his "guts" and not the facts.
ReplyDeleteHe must have had a bad day on the toilet, this time.
w3ski
If Vlad Putin installed Trump to damage America, the border closing would be a very good idea, for the reasons that CP88 pointed out. It also would not have any Russian fingerprints on it, it would look like a very stupid Own Goal. So I am afraid Trump will do it.
ReplyDeleteIF he closes the border with mexico does that mean an airplane from Mexico city to the heartland to deliver car parts is not allowed?
ReplyDeleteHow about fresh veggies for Boston or Chitown.
I can see the effects when everything gets more expensive and or scarce.
The turnup in chief needs to take a chill pill and likely a laxitive too.
Eck!
Most of the car parts flights we see run from the U.S. side of the border, as the wiring looms and such are trucked over the border and then piled onto DC-3’s or other planes that can economically fly a large volume of relatively light parts. Honestly, no one knows what “closing” the Mexican border would result in...other than lawsuits and chaos. I’m not sure very many veggies are flown, the costs are too large for a relatively small margin product, and most fruits and veggies can either be picked unrepentant and force ripened when desired or chilled/frozen to extend the shipping window. Flower may be the exception
ReplyDeleteAs for the impact, the current cross-border trade is about $1,700,000,000 A DAY. That’s $1.7 B Billion a day.