President Donald Trump has once again brought up the subject of closing the US-Mexico border to check the influx of illegal immigrants. He indicted strong possibilities of closing the border this week unless Mexico took steps to stop immigrants from entering the United States. If the Trump administration implements such a decision, it would check illegal crossing of asylum seekers but would also adversely affect food imports from Mexico which is a nearly $137billion business. The imports include avocados, tomatoes, cucumbers, blackberries, and raspberries and these will be in short supply.
Daily Mail UK reports the United States depends on imports of fruit, vegetables, and alcohol from across the Mexican border. It accounts for nearly half of all imported US vegetables and 40 percent of imported fruit. This data is from official sources of the United States Department of Agriculture. Obviously, such a decision would hit American consumers hard.
Nope. Just seal the border up and build a never ending wall to keep avocados out. https://t.co/PoHalzj83K
— Chriss 🍀 (@hoadleyfersure) April 1, 2019
The border closer outlook seems bleak
A person in the know says the existing stock of avocados in America would last for three weeks. If there are no imports from Mexico because of the closure of the US-Mexico border wall, it will lead to an unprecedented situation.
He clarifies that “Mexico supplies virtually 100 percent of the avocados in the US right now.”
Do not despair - we have jackfruits in India and we promise to not put up a wall. bewahaha : US will run out of avocados in three weeks if Trump closes Mexico border https://t.co/VbkdJIfbpV
— Sunil Nair (@spuriousmallu) April 2, 2019
Daily Mail UK goes on to add comments by another expert who says the closure of borders will have an effect on trade with a probable price hike.
That, in turn, will have an impact on supermarket chains and finally, the consumers. There will be an effect on exports also. US exports diesel and gasoline to Mexico and some of these move by rail. There is no clarity on whether the border closure will affect the movement of goods by rail. Obviously, the Trump administration must weigh all the pros and cons before taking the drastic step.
Total closure could lead to complications
According to the BBC, President Donald Trump wants to close the US-Mexico border in order to put a check on illegal migration and drug smuggling. As POTUS, he has every right to close borders to prevent entry on unwanted persons but, if he does go ahead, it could lead to innumerable trade-related issues. Mexico is a major trading partner of the US and the impact would be widespread and immediate. Such an action could land up in the court, as was the case with the travel ban. The anticipated shortage of avocado would be one of the fallouts because Mexico happens to be the main source of supply.
