US economic toll of East Coast and Gulf port strike could be billions per day
Eric Hoplin, CEO and President of the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors warned that American consumers and businesses should expect to "feel the pinch" if the International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) decides to move forward. The move would impact ports that handle about half of the nation’s cargo from ships. According to Hoplin, if the ports were to shut down for a single day and remain closed for three to five days, the American economy could take a $3.7 billion hit "every single day." Despite the economic toll the strikes would have, Hoplin suggested that there is some temporary "good news."