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We'll run out of avocados in 3 weeks if President Trump closes the border

If the president of the United States follows through on his threat to close the border, it could affect the supply of avocados into the country. A top distributor and grower of avocados

SAN DIEGO, Calif. — President Trump recently said he was likely to close America's southern border if Mexican authorities didn't take immediate action to stop illegal immigration.

If the president of the United States follows through on his threat to close the border, it could affect the supply of avocados into the country. A top distributor and grower of avocados said the United States would run out of the fruit in three weeks.

According to Forbes, approximately 78 percent of avocados and 71 percent of tomatoes enter the U.S. from Mexico. Americans reportedly get 15 percent of our sugar there, and drink 80 percent of Mexico's tequila.

According to U.S. Department of Agriculture, nearly half of the United States' vegetables and 40 percent of our imported fruit are grown in Mexico.

"It could mean all trade" with Mexico, Trump said when questioned Friday by reporters in Florida. "We will close it for a long time."

The executive director for the Otay Mesa Chamber of Commerce, Alejandra Mier y Teran, said she not only worries how it would impact workers in San Diego, but the mere threat of border closures sends the wrong message to businesses in Mexico and may eventually scare companies into turning to Asia for their supply chains.

"I think the impact would be absolutely devastating on so many fronts," said Mier y Teran, whose members rely on the Otay Mesa crossing to bring televisions, medical devices and a wide range of products to the U.S. "In terms of a long-term effect, it's basically shooting yourself in your foot. It's sending out a message to other countries that, 'Don't come because our borders may not work at any time.' That is extremely scary and dangerous."

The U.S. and Mexico trade roughly $1.7 billion worth of goods every day. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce said closing the border would be "an unmitigated economic debacle" that would threaten 5 million American jobs.

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