Thousands of Latino workers in the United States could lose their jobs due to Trump's tariffs, they warn.

Thousands of Latino workers in the United States could lose their jobs due to Trump's tariffs.

The new tariffs imposed by the Donald Trump administration are creating uncertainty in key sectors such as the automotive industry, agriculture, and liquor production, where thousands of workers, many of them Latino, could lose their jobs.

Since March 1, the U.S. government has imposed 25% tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada, while China faces 10% tariffs on its products.

Although Trump temporarily suspended some of these taxes after meetings with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, the impact is already being felt on the economy.

Sectors at risk of layoffs

Economists warn that the effects of these measures could translate into job cuts across multiple industries. Automotive manufacturers, which depend on imported parts, face rising production costs, which could lead to staff cuts.

The same is true for farmers, who fear losing international markets due to possible trade retaliation from affected countries.

"It's like Trump took a grenade and threw it at the economy, and stood back to see what happens," said Rob Handfield, a professor of supply chain management at North Carolina State University.

Furthermore, the alcohol distilling sector could suffer a significant blow. Whiskey and tequila exporters fear that retaliation from other nations will impact their sales, directly affecting distillery workers in the United States.

Consequences for the Latino community

The Latino community, which represents a significant percentage of the workforce in these sectors, is one of the most vulnerable to Trump's trade policies. The automotive industry, with factories in states like Texas and Michigan, employs thousands of Latinos who now face job uncertainty.

The agricultural sector would also be affected, as many farmworkers in California and the Southwest depend on exporting products to markets like Mexico and Canada.

Despite warnings from economists and business leaders, Trump has defended his policies, claiming that these measures seek to strengthen American industry.

However, in recent weeks, financial markets have reacted with significant declines, reflecting uncertainty about the real impact of the tariffs.

With the threat of further taxes on European imports starting April 2, the US economy could face an even more challenging scenario, with the possibility of further layoffs in the coming weeks.