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Closing Mexico border could bring U.S. auto production to a halt

Tracey Samuelson Apr 2, 2019
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A Mexican girl walks near by the metal fence between Ciudad Juarez, Cihuahua state, Mexico and Sunland Park, New Mexico, U.S., on May 3, 2018. PEDRO PARDO/AFP/Getty Images

Closing Mexico border could bring U.S. auto production to a halt

Tracey Samuelson Apr 2, 2019
A Mexican girl walks near by the metal fence between Ciudad Juarez, Cihuahua state, Mexico and Sunland Park, New Mexico, U.S., on May 3, 2018. PEDRO PARDO/AFP/Getty Images
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The White House is backtracking slightly on President Trump’s recent threats to close the U.S.-Mexico border on security concerns. Today, Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said there’s no specific timeline and that it’s “not our first choice,” but she also said it may be the best decision. However, the economic consequences of closing the southern border would be immediate and severe, especially for the U.S. automotive industry which relies on car parts from Mexico. One auto industry analyst estimates that a shut down could halt auto production in most U.S. factories within a week.

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