Impacts of tariffs on the Borderland

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA)-- The tariffs that have been promised by President Trump's administration went into effect early Tuesday morning.

The 25% taxes on imports from Canada and Mexico and the 20% tax Chinese goods could effect everything from avocadoes to car parts to poultry.

Local trade experts told ABC-7 you could see produce prices climb as early as next week.

"Very quickly. It shouldn't take that long, maybe, few days or few weeks," said Ram Acharya, a trade professor at NMSU.

Jerry Pacheco, the President of the Border Industrial Association, says that President Trump's goal of bringing businesses to America won't happen instantly with these tariffs in effect.

"That doesn't happen overnight. When a company locates it, let's say in a foreign country, they develop their supply chain there, they develop the skills of their workers there. So it's not that easy to to pull up stakes and start all over," Pacheco told ABC-7.

Tom Fullerton, an economics professor at UTEP, says agriculture is one of the industries that El Paso would feel the most. 

"Those are squarely within the economic wheelhouse of El Paso and parties. And so it's it has potential to have some really negative impacts here within the region and across the border," Fullerton told ABC-7.

President Donald Trump taking to his truth social account writing, "To the Great Farmers of the United States: Get ready to start making a lot of agricultural product to be sold INSIDE of the United States. Tariffs will go on external product on April 2nd. Have fun."

Democratic Sen. Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico released the following statement on President Trump's tariffs:

“President Trump’s reckless Trade War will lead to higher prices for New Mexicans on groceries, energy, cars, electronics, and more. Instead of strengthening our economy, he’s putting American jobs and businesses at risk while pushing the Tax Scam 2.0 for the wealthy and gutting essential programs. These tariffs could cost American families up to $2,000 a year in higher prices.

“We’ve seen this before. During his first term, President Trump’s tariffs cost the agriculture industry billions of dollars. Now, our farmers and ranchers are once again paying the price. Despite President Trump’s claims, it’s American families and businesses who will bear the brunt of these tariffs.

“President Trump is doing nothing to lower costs for hardworking Americans.”