Ciudad Juarez Loses 64,000 Factory Jobs Amid Trump Tariffs

Ciudad Juarez, a key manufacturing hub on the U.S.-Mexico border, has suffered a severe loss of over 64,000 factory jobs between June 2023 and June 2025, largely attributed to U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff policies, rising labor costs, and investor concerns over Mexico's judicial reforms. The maquiladora sector, which accounts for about 60% of the city's employment, faces a deep crisis as companies like Design Group Americas have shut down operations and cited tariffs as a significant factor in their financial struggles. Increased minimum wages and the unpredictability of trade policies have driven some manufacturers to relocate to countries with lower labor costs or invest in automation, further reducing employment opportunities. This downturn reflects broader economic challenges for Mexico, with the country's GDP growth projected to slow below 1% in 2025. Efforts to restore confidence in cross-border trade and diversify the local economy are critical for the city's future economic resilience. Meanwhile, workers like Fabiola Galicia and her husband, long-time employees of affected factories, have been personally impacted by these layoffs, underscoring the human cost of these economic shifts.