ARIZONA NEWS

Experts worried by Trump’s repeated threats to end NAFTA over Mexico feud

Apr 2, 2018, 2:38 PM

(AP Photo/David Richard)...

(AP Photo/David Richard)

(AP Photo/David Richard)

PHOENIX — Valley experts said they were concerned when President Donald Trump tweeted a threat this weekend to end the North American Free Trade Agreement unless Mexico steps in to help control the flow of illegal immigrants and drugs.

Economist Jim Rounds said threats such as that must be taken seriously.

“In some cases, this stuff works when you’re negotiating,” he said. “When you’re dealing with the economy and people’s lives, you have to be careful. This isn’t a real estate deal.”

Glenn Hamer, the president and CEO of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce, said more than 100,000 Arizona jobs have ties to NAFTA and ending the deal would be bad news for the state.

“Obviously, for Arizona, eliminating NAFTA would be a terrible deal,” he said.

“There’s a lot of good work that’s been done to modernize this 25-year-old agreement and, at the end of the day, with a lot of turbulence, we’ll see a good, modernized deal. The numbers are so big, the supply chains so connected, NAFTA is so ingrained in all three of our economies.”

However, Rounds did not believe Trump would actually end NAFTA.

“I just think they’re taking a hard line on negotiations, but you never know with this administration,” he said.

The U.S., Canada and Mexico are currently renegotiating NAFTA at Trump’s insistence. Trump said NAFTA is bad for the U.S.

“Mexico has got to help us at the border,” Trump told reporters before he attended Easter services at an Episcopal church near his Palm Beach, Florida, home, as he held his wife, Melania’s, hand. “If they’re not going to help us at the border, it’s a very sad thing between our two countries.”

“A lot of people are coming in because they want to take advantage of [Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals],” he added.

Trump also said a DACA deal was off the table during Sunday’s Twitter tirade.

The president also complained on Twitter that Border Patrol agents can’t do their jobs properly because of “ridiculous liberal (Democrat) laws” that allow people caught for being in the country illegally to be released while they await a hearing before a federal immigration judge.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Arizona News

Plane crash Falcon Field...

ABC15.com Staff

Preliminary report offers new details in plane crash that killed 5 people near Falcon Field

A preliminary NTSB report provides some details on the moments before a small plane crashed and killed five people near Falcon Field in November.

1 hour ago

An OHV safety course that will be required to register off-highway vehicles under a new Arizona law...

Kevin Stone

OHV safety course required under new Arizona law is now available online

Arizonans can start taking an OHV safety course that will be required to register off-highway vehicles under a new state law.

3 hours ago

An Avondale man was sentenced to prison last week for his role in a drug trafficking organization. ...

Bailey Leasure

Avondale man sentenced for role in drug trafficking organization

An Avondale man was sentenced to prison last week for his role in a drug trafficking organization.

5 hours ago

The fall 2024 Tempe Festival of the Arts runs Dec. 6-8....

Kevin Stone

Festival of the Arts to close downtown Tempe streets starting Thursday

As holiday shoppers flock to downtown Tempe this weekend for the Festival of the Arts, it could create issues for anyone driving in the area.

6 hours ago

artificial intelligence...

KTAR.com

Chandler-Gilbert Community College to offer 4-year bachelor’s degree in AI

An East Valley school will soon become one of the few community colleges in the nation with a bachelor’s degree program in artificial intelligence.

7 hours ago

Tempe said it will start strict enforcement of its urban camping ban....

Kevin Stone

Tempe to strictly enforce its urban camping ban after SCOTUS ruling, Prop 312 passage

In the wake of a related court ruling and state ballot initiative, the city of Tempe announced Tuesday that it will start strict enforcement of its urban camping ban.

7 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

...

Sanderson Ford

Sanderson Ford’s Operation Santa Claus: Spreading holiday cheer through pickleball

Phoenix, AZ – Sanderson Ford, a staple in the Arizona community, is once again gearing up for its annual Operation Santa Claus charity drive.

...

Day & Night Air Conditioning, Heating and Plumbing

Why a Heating Tune-Up is Essential Before Winter

PHOENIX, AZ — With cooler weather on the horizon, making sure your heating system is prepped and ready can make all the difference in staying comfortable this winter.

...

DISC Desert Institute for Spine Care

The best methods to make your back pain disappear for good

Are you struggling with back pain that will not go away?

Experts worried by Trump’s repeated threats to end NAFTA over Mexico feud