Texas Gov. Abbott agrees to end some traffic-causing cargo inspections at the border

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced Wednesday that he would bring to an end his controversial measure that required inspections of cargo trucks at the border. In the past days, the effort has sent the amount of border traffic soaring and led to the closures of three international bridges, each of which caused millions of dollars in losses for Texas businesses.

The GOP gov. said he had struck up a deal with his counterpart in Mexico, under which law enforcement in the Mexican state would inspect cargo trucks headed to the U.S. before they hit the border. In response, Abbott will terminate the border inspections that have caused massive cargo backlogs. 

The inspections were initially ordered in response to the Biden administration's announcement that it would end Title 42. They were meant to serve as a line of defense against smugglers and those bringing other illicit contraband into the U.S. in cargo trucks.

Abbott has expressed a willingness to make similar deals with governors from other Mexican states, if they are willing to increase security at their borders as well.

"The ultimate way to end the clogged border is for President Biden to do his job and to secure the border. If you want relief from the clogged border, you need to call President Biden and tell him to maintain the Title 42 policy that has been in place for years," Abbott said at a news conference. 

Prior to his announcement that inspections would end, White Houses Press Secretary Jen Psaki condemned Abbott's actions and said that the whole of the U.S. would feel the impact of the supply chain shortages caused by his order.

"Governor Abbott’s unnecessary and redundant inspections of trucks transiting ports of entry between Texas and Mexico are causing significant disruptions to the food and automobile supply chains, delaying manufacturing, impacting jobs, and raising prices for families in Texas and across the country," she said. "Commercial traffic has dropped by as much as 60[%].  The continuous flow of legitimate trade and travel and CBP’s ability to do its job should not be obstructed. Governor Abbott’s actions are impacting people’s jobs, and the livelihoods of hardworking American families."