In a study that examines the U.S. impact of border delays along the U.S.-Canada border, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce pegs the cost to the U.S. economy at $4.13 billion per year. That’s over $471,000 per hour.
Since signing the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) cross-border traffic has increased 152%, creating significant traffic problems which have led to delays ranging from 10 minutes to four hours. Michigan and Ohio bear the brunt of the economic loss generated from these delays. “There are over 5.2 million jobs in the U.S. that are dependent on trade with Canada,” the report points out.
