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Los Angeles Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
No Supreme Court win, but Mexico pressures U.S. on southbound guns
MEXICO CITY — More than a decade ago, Mexican authorities erected a billboard along the border in Ciudad Juárez, across the Rio Grande from El Paso. 'No More Weapons,' was the stark message, written in English and crafted from 3 tons of firearms that had been seized and crushed. It was a desperate entreaty to U.S. officials to stanch the so-called Iron River, the southbound flow of arms that was fueling record levels of carnage in Mexico. But the guns kept coming — and the bloodletting and mayhem grew. Finally, with homicides soaring to record levels, exasperated authorities pivoted to a novel strategy: Mexico filed a $10-billion suit in U.S. federal court seeking to have Smith & Wesson and other signature manufacturers held accountable for the country's epidemic of shooting deaths. The uphill battle against the powerful gun lobby survived an appeals court challenge, but last week the U.S. Supreme Court threw out Mexico's lawsuit, ruling unanimously that federal law shields gunmakers from nearly all liability. Although the litigation stalled, advocates say the high-profile gambit did notch a significant achievement: Dramatizing the role of Made-in-U.S.A. arms in Mexico's daily drumbeat of assassinations, massacres and disappearances. 'Notwithstanding the Supreme Court ruling, Mexico's lawsuit has accomplished a great deal,' said Jonathan Lowy, president of Global Action on Gun Violence, a Washington-based advocacy group. 'It has put the issue of gun trafficking — and the industry's role in facilitating the gun pipeline — on the bilateral and international agenda,' said Lowy, who was co-counsel in Mexico's lawsuit. A few hours after the high court decision, Ronald Johnson, the U.S. ambassador in Mexico City, wrote on X that the White House was intent on working with Mexico 'to stop southbound arms trafficking and dismantle networks fueling cartel violence.' The comments mark the first time that Washington — which has strong-armed Mexico to cut down on the northbound traffic of fentanyl and other illicit drugs — has acknowledged a reciprocal responsibility to clamp down on southbound guns, said President Claudia Sheinbaum. She hailed it as a breakthrough, years in the making. 'This is not just about the passage of narcotics from Mexico to the United States,' Sheinbaum said Friday. 'But that there [must] also be no passage of arms from the United States to Mexico.' Mexico is mulling options after the Supreme Court rebuff, Sheinbaum said. Still pending is a separate lawsuit by Mexico in U.S. federal court accusing five gun dealers in Arizona of trafficking weapons and ammunition to the cartels. Meanwhile, U.S. officials say that the Trump administration's recent designation of six Mexican cartels as foreign terrorist organizations means that weapons traffickers may face terrorism-related charges. 'In essence, the cartels that operate within Mexico and threaten the state are armed from weapons that are bought in the United States and shipped there,' U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told a congressional panel last month. 'We want to help stop that flow.' On Monday, federal agents gathered at an international bridge in Laredo, Texas, before an array of seized arms — from snub-nosed revolvers to mounted machine guns — to demonstrate what they insist is a newfound resolve to stop the illicit gun commerce. 'This isn't a weapon just going to Mexico,' Craig Larrabee, special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations in San Antonio, told reporters. 'It's going to arm the cartels. It's going to fight police officers and create terror throughout Mexico.' In documents submitted to the Supreme Court, Mexican authorities charged that it defied credibility that U.S. gunmakers were unaware that their products were destined for Mexican cartels — a charge denied by manufacturers. The gun industry also disputed Mexico's argument that manufacturers deliberately produce military-style assault rifles and other weapons that, for both practical and aesthetic reasons, appeal to mobsters. Mexico cited several .38-caliber Colt offerings, including a gold-plated, Jefe de Jefes ('Boss of Bosses') pistol; and a handgun dubbed the 'Emiliano Zapata,' emblazoned with an image of the revered Mexican revolutionary hero and his celebrated motto: 'It is better to die standing than to live on your knees.' Compared with the United States, Mexico has a much more stringent approach to firearms. Like the 2nd Amendment, Mexico's Constitution guarantees the right to bear arms. But it also stipulates that federal law 'will determine the cases, conditions, requirements and places' of gun ownership. There are just two stores nationwide, both run by the military, where people can legally purchase guns. At the bigger store, in Mexico City, fewer than 50 guns are sold on average each day. Buyers are required to provide names, addresses and fingerprints in a process that can drag on for months. And unlike the United States, Mexico maintains a national registry. But the vast availability of U.S.-origin, black-market weapons undermines Mexico's strict guidelines. According to Mexican officials, an estimated 200,000 to half a million guns are smuggled annually into Mexico. Data collected by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives illustrate where criminals in Mexico are obtaining their firepower. Of the 132,823 guns recovered at crime scenes in Mexico from 2009 to 2018, fully 70% were found to have originated in the U.S. — mostly in Texas and other Southwest border states. In their lawsuit, Mexican authorities cited even higher numbers: Almost 90% of guns seized at crime scenes came from north of the border. Experts say most firearms in Mexico are bought legally at U.S. gun shows or retail outlets by so-called straw purchasers,who smuggle the weapons across the border. It's a surprisingly easy task: More than a million people and about $1.8 billion in goods cross the border legally each day, and Mexico rarely inspects vehicles heading south. In recent years, the flood of weapons from the United States has accelerated, fueling record levels of violence. Mexican organized crime groups have expanded their turf and moved into rackets beyond drug trafficking, including extortion, fuel-smuggling and the exploitation of timber, minerals and other natural resources. In 2004, guns accounted for one-quarter of Mexico's homicides. Today, guns are used in roughly three-quarters of killings. Mexican leaders have long been sounding alarms. Former President Felipe Calderón, who, with U.S. backing, launched what is now widely viewed as a catastrophic 'war' on Mexican drug traffickers in late 2006, personally pleaded with U.S. lawmakers to reinstate a congressional prohibition on purchases of high-powered assault rifles. The expiration of the ban in 2004 meant that any adult with a clean record could enter a store in most states and walk out with weapons that, in much of the world, are legally reserved for military use. 'Many of these guns are not going to honest American hands,' Calderon said in a 2010 address to the U.S. Congress. 'Instead, thousands are ending up in the hands of criminals.' It was Calderón who, near the end of his term, ventured to the northern border to unveil the massive billboard urging U.S. authorities to stop the weapons flow. His appeals, and those of subsequent Mexican leaders, went largely unheeded. The verdict is still out on whether Washington will follow up on its latest vows to throttle the gun traffic. 'The Trump administration has said very clearly that it wants to go after Mexican organized crime groups,' said David Shirk, a political scientist at San Diego University who studies violence in Mexico. 'And, if you're going to get serious about Mexican cartels, you have to take away their guns.' Special correspondent Cecilia Sánchez Vidal contributed to this report.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Jobs Report Paints Uncertain Picture of US Manufacturing Prospects
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Generate Key Takeaways New jobs numbers paint an uncertain picture of the future of American manufacturing in the wake of President Donald Trump's tariff announcements. Despite promises that the country's production force would come roaring back under the new trade policy, U.S. factories collectively dropped 1,000 jobs during the month of April, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. More from Sourcing Journal 'It's not terribly surprising that factory jobs were flat last month, as they have been for the past five months, reflecting a modest but steady decline since early 2023,' Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM) president Scott Paul said following the release of the jobs report Friday. While there have been significant reshoring announcements in industries like semiconductors and pharmaceuticals over the course of the past three years, 'it hasn't been enough to tip the scales,' Paul said. 'The bigger question is, what happens next? Until there is certainty on tariff policy, many manufacturers will likely be treading water.' The production market for hard goods and technology has indeed seen only middling advancement in recent months, but the industries officials have been quick to write off may be the ones to buck the trend. Many footwear and apparel firms from coast to coast have experienced increased interest since the tariffs took effect—though its too soon to tell whether commitments are short-term or partners are in it for the long haul. Mitch Cahn, owner and president of Unionwear, said he was surprised to see the decline in U.S. manufacturing roles. 'We have seen a serious uptick in business since the tariffs went into effect.' The Newark, N.J.-based manufacturer of hats, bags, promotional products and military gear 'rarely get[s] real inquiries from the fashion business and the merchandise business for Made-in-U.S.A. products, and that's been all the inquiries that we're getting these days,' Cahn told Sourcing Journal. 'I will say we worked overtime the entire month of April which is a rarity for us.' Asked whether he has had to make any cuts to factory roles as a result of the duties, Cahn answered, 'We haven't.' The data could be skewed by the automobile industry, which has faced supply chain issues due to dependence on Canada and Mexico for parts and inputs, he believes. On the flip side, 'Most of the domestic sewing companies that I'm talking to are busy,' Cahn said. 'However, we have only added a couple of heads because we are operating under the assumption that the tariffs are fleeting.' No one knows whether the next news cycle will bring reports of a new tariff threat or a new trade deal, though the president and his cabinet have intimated that agreements with allies—and even a truce with China—could be imminent. Asked whether such developments could halt the progress his business is seeing, Cahn said, 'On a strictly fashion B-to-C basis, yeah, I think that if the wind blows in the other direction, we're going to see brands, in general, go back to the cheapest possible product.' 'But there is the possibility, and I'm thinking the probability, that for many businesses, there is going to be more interest in the Made-in-U.S.A. product—and not because of the tariffs,' he added. Over the next three years alone, the U.S. will celebrate its 250th anniversary and it will host the World Cup and the Olympics. Not to mention, a 2028 election cycle will bring out a fresh batch of presidential hopefuls from both parties looking for branded merch—a key element of Unionwear's offerings. Alex Zar, CEO of Los Angeles-based Lalaland Production and Design, told Sourcing Journal he was in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday participating in discussions on The Hill designed to educate lawmakers about advanced manufacturing in the U.S. 'Onshoring trends and vocational training is talk of the town in D.C.,' he said. 'As far as Lalaland goes, we are just starting to ramp up hiring for traditional production as well as our 3D-printing technology we are building here stateside, to get ready for mass-scale local production.' The manufacturer, which deals in premium and luxury leather goods, has been fielding inquiries from fashion brands looking to bring a portion of their production closer to their end market. Zar said he's confident the trend will continue, but the industry could use the government's support. L.A. Fashion District neighbor ComunityMade is also experiencing 'a surge in business,' according to Sean Scott, the company's co-founder and CEO. 'We've been laying the groundwork for several years so we can't attribute all new business to the tariffs,' he explained. Over the course of the past year, the footwear production studio and factory has seen a steady stream of new business coming through its doors. 'That said, since the tariffs were announced, our metaphorical phone has been ringing off the hook. So Comunity is growing and will be hiring people,' he added. 'In short, these tariffs are a shock to the system that has heightened a trend toward local production that was already in progress.' But there is still a 'big question about what happens next,' Scott said, noting that the administration's unpredictability and the resulting uncertainty are 'business killers.' Manufacturers are uniquely positioned to recognize the disruption on the horizon, from higher prices on consumer goods to order cancellations at China-based factories and significant supply chain disruptions like those at the ports, 'as they manage the stops and starts from this administration's actions and corrections.' And just like during the Covid-19 crisis, delays, frequent logistics rate changes and 'Chaos, basically' are driving decision-makers to scramble. 'This disruption may not be on the same scale as the pandemic but that's not a bad analogy either. This local production movement needs the active support of bigger brands so we can invest in infrastructure and grow the industry,' he said. 'If these bigger brands suffer too much from tariff disruption, they may 'pump the brakes' on any unproven business, like local production. So, we don't feel our recent uptick in business is stable.' At Gambert Shirtmakers in Newark, N.J., 'The tariffs are creating a lot of tire kicking from potential new business, but nobody is doing anything actionable per se,' said CEO and owner Mitch Gambert. Brands and retailers might be picking up the phones for informal conversations where they might probe their options, but they're not signing on the dotted line. 'As for employment, we have not had any layoffs, however, we are working a four-day work week because the normal volume is off.' According to Gambert, whose business specializes in premium men's shirting for brands and retailers across the U.S., many clients are seeing a 20-percent to 30-percent decline in business—and that's impacting the firm's orders. 'I think consumer confidence is way off, and I know supply chain disruption as a result of the tariffs is not causing any boosts to the economy,' he said. Even if companies are open to producing closer to home, consumers may not be making as many discretionary purchases now that so many necessities have jumped in price. 'If crippling China was the only goal. they are succeeding; if it was to boost the American economy, it is not kicking in yet,' he added. Gambert previously told Sourcing Journal that the small manufacturing operation has also experienced difficulty sourcing the materials and fabrics it needs from Canada, Europe and Asia, with prices on the rise and availability in question. 'If they don't eliminate tariffs on raw materials, then the tariffs imposed on all imported goods will only increase my prices and keep me still more expensive than off-shore production,' Gambert lamented, noting that he might not be able to capitalize on a Made-in-the-U.S.A. resurgence if the conditions aren't right. Needless to say, these factors complicate the firm's future hiring plans. 'I'm not really sure who is evaluating these policies, but they are not working from the perspective of someone with a manufacturing facility here in the United States,' he said.
