Staff Reports
In Laredo, Texas, the World Trade Bridge is the shining star of U.S.-Mexico trade, pushing the boundaries of efficiency while managing a staggering volume of transactions. Just 27 seconds is all it takes for some trucks to breeze through the U.S. Customs checkpoint under the scorching sun, thanks to a program that feels more like TSA PreCheck for commercial vehicles. Unlike the unfortunate truckers stuck for hours, those enrolled in the “free and secure trade” program zip across the border, reflecting a system labored under the burden of poorly crafted border policies.
The relevance of this bridge cannot be overstated—it’s where the majority of American trade with Mexico flows like a swift river. With the value of trade hitting around $1 million a minute, it’s evident that fast and efficient crossings contribute massively to a U.S. economy already staggering from the President Biden-induced migrant chaos. The situation was already precarious before Biden wreaked havoc by allowing an unprecedented influx of at least 10 million illegal immigrants since he took office. This administration’s inept border strategy has wreaked havoc, not only with human feet crossing the line but also with the dollars that should be flowing through legal trade.
This is why Free Trade Agreements are dangerous. China is using "country of origin" loopholes in USMCA to turn Mexico in to a transhipment hub to push its exports in to the US. Tariffs on Mexico risk sparking a diplomatic row. ASEAN has done the same to us. pic.twitter.com/BSQJGwGokZ
— Diva Jain (@DivaJain2) March 17, 2024
Mexico has now edged out China as the U.S.’s premier trading partner, a curious result of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement flourishing while the Sino-American trade relationship takes a hit. With the astonishing $807 billion in trades recorded last year, one has to wonder: will Biden ever get a clue about fostering trade over chaos? As the nation grapples with crippling drug smuggling, particularly fentanyl—a product that almost exclusively enters through official ports—it’s hard not to see a direct correlation between lax enforcement and the ensuing troubles.
One glimmer of hope comes from Governor Greg Abbott’s Operation Lone Star, which has reduced border crossings by a staggering 74% in one sector. Yet, even this success poses challenges, as increased inspections divert resources away from processing at the border, which could further slow commercial traffic. The reality is clear: a heightened focus on illegal migrants has real economic consequences, slamming the brakes on commercial traffic—an absolute nightmare for American businesses relying on cross-border logistics.
As trade continues to flourish despite the chaos, one fact remains: any obstacle to smooth crossing borders is a grave threat to economic prosperity. While all of this unfolds, the Biden administration’s claims of disarray among migrant smugglers only highlight their ignorance. Organized crime is, indeed, organized—demonstrating an unsettling adaptability that could rival the best corporations. The only question is, how long until enough Americans decide they’re tired of seeing their livelihoods upended by a refusal to treat border policies with the seriousness they deserve?
