(IMAGN) U.S. Customs and Border Protection temporarily shut down the San Ysidro port of entry in San Diego-Tijuana, to install additional fortifications for the migrant caravan in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico, on Nov. 19, 2018. The lanes reopened after about three hours.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – A temporary implementation of tariffs resulted in a 30% reduction in product deliveries from Tijuana into the United States between Tuesday and Thursday, according to the National Chamber of Commercial Transporters.
Israel Delgado Vallejo, the chamber’s vice president, reported a significant halt in exports as businesses reacted to the potential economic impact of the tariffs.
“It translated into fewer truck loads going abroad, not just in the Tijuana region but every point along the border,” Vallejo stated. He also noted that some commercial crossings experienced a 50% decrease, with Nuevo Laredo seeing an 80% drop.
The tariffs, which were temporarily in place, prompted concern among freight transporters. President Donald Trump has indicated that tariffs could be reinstated on April 2nd.
“This creates a respite and gives companies time to plan out their strategy for exporting products,” Delgado Vallejo said. “But if tariffs return and remain place for an extended period, no doubt you’ll see a drastic reduction in exports and it will generate great fear among freight transporters who might have to reduce labor.”
