(3 Apr 2019) Although President Donald Trump has eased up on his threats to shut the southern border this week while his administration explores less drastic measures, the National Retail Association says the president's rhetoric is generating uncertainty, adding "the harm that could be done by a border shutdown would be immense." David French says the president's suggestion that the border could be closed "has a lot of people very concerned."
"There's not a lot of time to react and it's not clear what timeframe would be available to make alternative plans," he said.
Facing a surge of Central American migrants trying to enter the U.S., Trump last week threatened to seal the border this week if Mexico did not immediately halt all illegal immigration into the U.S.
On Tuesday, Trump said he was pleased with steps Mexico had taken in recent days and renewed his calls for Congress to make changes he contends would solve the problem.
French says retailers need clarity about what to expect along the border.
"Some of the obvious effects would be perhaps avocados or other fresh produce coming from Mexico would not be available within a very short period of time," he said.
"There would be manufacturing facilities factories in the United States that would likely be idled in a very short period of time."
He said automobiles would be a prime example.
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