In response to President Trump's statement regarding the possible closure of the U.S.-Mexico border, the National Customs Brokers and Forwarder's Association of America, Inc., (NCBFAA) is writing to express our concern regarding the impact this measure will have, not only for our 300-plus member companies and their employees along the southern border but for the entire U.S. trade community.

"Mexico has historically been one of the United States' greatest trade allies," said NCBFAA President Amy Magnus. "The NCBFAA believes that completely closing the southern border would create unthinkable disruption and chaos, and would solve nothing."

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, two-way trade between the United States and Mexico exceeded $512 billion in 2018. This accounted for nearly 15% of the United States' total trade last year and granted Mexico the distinction of being our 3rd largest goods trading partner in the world, behind only China and Canada. If the border were to close, a loss of trade at this magnitude would be felt immediately across the country - in our grocery stores, at our shopping outlets, on our highways, and in our wallets.

Texas, in particular, would feel the impact overnight.

"If the southern border were to be shut down, it would be an economic disaster," said Jose Gonzalez, NCBFAA Area 8 Board of Director and President of J.D. Gonzalez CHB. "Laredo is the United States' largest inland port and processes between 10,000 - 12,000 trailers daily. Many of the largest importers use the Port of Laredo, so closing the border would have a big impact, both nationally and locally."

In 2017 alone, the Port of Laredo handled approximately $215 billion in imports and exports; 98% of which is related to the United States' trade with Mexico. To handle it all, Laredo is home to over 500 Freight Forwarders, 200 trucking companies, and 100 licensed U.S. Customs Brokers. These highly trained individuals are responsible for ensuring that the goods coming and going are processed and handled correctly. Shutting down the border would result in potentially thousands of lost jobs and cripple the economies of the surrounding area.

The NCBFAA believes this measure can be avoided, which is why we strongly urge the White House and Congressional lawmakers to work together to find a safe, effective and economically sound border security solution that does not resort to a full border shut down.