Arizona businesses leaders are worried the ricochet-like news of tariffs being placed on Mexico and then lifted again will stifle the Phoenix economy.
Canada and Mexico are the largest trade partners with the Phoenix Area and the state.
In 2023, Arizona imported $11.8 billion worth of goods from Mexico and $2.6 billion worth from Canada.
While those are statewide numbers, Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce CEO Todd Sanders says Maricopa County makes up the largest part of the state’s economy.
He says he is hesitant to use the economy as a tool to deal with immigration.
"I think the stop/start of this kind of activity is really tough because if you're thinking about an expansion in the next year, and Mexico says they're gonna send 10,000 troops to the border. But then something happens and we're not happy in two months and we're right back to that again," Sanders said.
Sanders says the volatility in tariff announcements could lead businesses to be more cautious.
“Certainly from a growth perspective that kind of uncertainty really stifles growth and as one of the fastest growing economies in the country, that's certainly a concern for us here in Phoenix," Sanders said.
The tariffs on China and Canada are still set to go into effect Tuesday.
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