MCALLEN, Texas - At the start of the year the RGG Business Journal secured an end-of-year review with Rio Grande Valley-based customs broker Jorge Torres.
The president of Interlink Trade Services hoped 2026 would be quieter than 2025.
Why? Because President Trump's Liberation Day Tariffs caused so much disruption and confusion for companies importing goods and services into the U.S.
That disruption and confusion has not relented in 2026, Torres said, in part because the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Trump's use of IIEPA to impose tariffs. IIEPA stands for the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
Torres recently spoke at a Trade Talks session hosted by the McAllen Economic Development Corporation. His fellow panelist was Dan W. McGrew, president and CEO of Velvac. Ralph Garcia, COO of McAllen EDC, moderated the discussion.
Afterwards, the Business Journal secured a fresh interview with Torres. In the interview, Torres said tariffs are here to stay and predicted Trump will find other ways to impose a key tool for his economic policies.
Here is the interview:
