The prolonged suspension of federal operations in the United States is already having a significant negative impact on the country’s economy. According to White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett, certain sectors are experiencing pressures that exceed initial estimates.
The hardest hit industries are those related to travel and leisure. The shutdown has disrupted production cycles, halted construction projects, and led to declining demand for several companies. Hassett emphasized that if flight disruptions continue for another week or two, this could escalate into a short-term downturn for the airline industry.
In addition, the GDP growth forecast for the fourth quarter has been revised downward. While the administration is counting on a swift recovery once the shutdown ends, the current pace of declining business activity raises concerns.
The suspension of operations began on October 1 and has now become the longest in US history, surpassing the shutdown of 2018-2019. The main cause is Congress's failure to agree on a budget, which has resulted in funding blockages for various federal programs and agencies.
The situation has already affected airport operations, resulting in flight delays. Furthermore, the US Treasury Department has previously warned of potential delays in salary payments for military personnel if the budget crisis is not resolved by mid-November.
Although an end to the conflict among federal authorities is in sight, concerns remain. The continued shutdown could further decelerate economic activity in critical segments of the US market.
