Rail strike would disrupt cross-border supplies of cars, auto parts, beer

Beer and auto parts from Mexico, as well as oil and petroleum exports from the U.S. to Mexico could be affected if workers and the railroads can’t end their standoff, Roberts said.

He said beer from Mexico is a good example of how a rail strike could affect imports.

“Fifty-six percent of the beer that enters the U.S. comes through the small town of Eagle Pass, Texas, which is the closest border crossing to the world’s largest brewery in Nava, Mexico,” Roberts said. “Almost every drop of that beer, the Mexican brands like Corona and Dos Equis, goes across the border by rail.”

In addition to a rail bridge, the Eagle Pass port of entry has a commercial truck bridge and cargo inspection facility. Roberts said a rail worker strike could force shipments of beer that usually runs on rail over to the truck bridge.

“The switch from rail to truck would not be without complications, complicated by an inability to know for how long the shift would last, but at least bridge capacity should not be an issue,” Roberts said. “Finding drivers and trailers might be, but bridge capacity should not.” 

Texas is a key connecting point for rail traffic from Mexico, with Class I railroads such as BNSF, Union Pacific, CSX and Kansas City Southern operating major intermodal facilities across the state.

Texas also has more than 17,000 rail employees and approximately 10,460 miles of railroad. More rail shipments end their journey in Texas than anywhere in the nation, according to the Association of American Railroads. 

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