WASHINGTON (September 22, 2023) – The following statement may be attributed to American Chemistry Council (ACC) Vice President of Regulatory and Scientific Affairs, Dr. Kimberly Wise White, in response to the shutdown of critical gateways for moving commercial traffic between the United States and Mexico:

“ACC and its members are concerned that the United States has suspended commercial traffic at key crossings between the United States and Mexico and urge policymakers to find a workable solution to resume normal trade as quickly as possible. Closing parts of the border to commercial trade, even temporarily, poses a major problem for chemical manufacturing. 

“Last year the chemical trade between the U.S. and Mexico totaled almost $40 billion. The movement of chemicals between the two countries is critical to manufacturing. If chemical shipments are disrupted, the North American supply chain would suffer, including, lost production, jobs, and economic activity. Manufacturers, farmers, and families everywhere – would feel the negative impact of cutting off the transportation of these crucial chemistries. 

“We recognize the importance of border security and encourage President Biden to work with Congress to find a solution that protects the nation and allows for the resumption of normal commercial trade between Mexico and the United States.”