Photo: Alamy
A widespread economic disaster is brewing a month before the most important election in American history. In the wake of the historic devastation due to Hurricane Helene, at the strike of midnight on October 1, port workers from the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) walked out of their jobs when their six-year contracts expired after failed negotiations with the U.S. Maritime Alliance (USMX).
From the East Coast of Maine to the Gulf Shores in Texas across 36 U.S. ports, over 45,000 port workers are now officially on strike. Port workers are demanding raises of $5 an hour in each of the next six years, according to ILA President Harold J Daggett, while calling for a ban on fully automated and semi-automated equipment that will result in job losses.
President Donald Trump issued a statement the day after the strike began, highlighting the economic impact of the Biden administration’s inflation.
“This is only happening because of the inflation brought on by Kamala Harris’ two votes for massive, out-of-control spending, and her decision to cut off energy exploration. Americans who thrived under President Trump can’t even get by because of Kamala Harris – this strike is a direct result of her actions.”
The Biden administration turned its back by refusing to address the severity of the port strike that will impact the wallets of Americans nationwide. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo told CNBC during an interview: “I have not been very focused on that.”
The ripple effects of the port strike
Everyday Americans are about to find out the hard way how the supply chain operates in the U.S. with the port strike.
The economic implications of the port strike could cripple the U.S. economy if the strike goes on for weeks. The Associated Press reported the ongoing strike in the East and Gulf Coast could cost the U.S. economy $3.8 billion to $4.5 billion a day according to J.P. Morgan.
With the East and Gulf Coast ports shut down, grocery shelves are at risk of being empty in a few weeks. Supply chains will be completely disrupted across all industries nationwide. There are various ripple effects of the ongoing strike, which includes shortages, price increases, and shipping delays in the shipment of imported goods from around the world. These consumer goods include the following: Christmas toys, raw materials, construction materials, alcohol, fruit, vegetables, pharmaceuticals, furniture, car parts and much more.
The wallets of average Americans, including the port workers, cannot take another four years of Biden’s failed economics. Under a second term with Trump, he will make sure Americans are prosperous and wealthy again. America needs President Trump back in office as the most important election in American history is less than 34 days.
