White House warns trucker protests at US-Canada border crossings already causing 'significant impacts' to some industries

The Biden administration is "very closely" monitoring the protests by truckers at US-Canada border crossings in which standoffs have emerged over vaccine mandates and other issues, threatening supply chains and other major disruptions, a White House official told CNN.

"We know that a number of companies and industries are seeing significant impacts from these disruptions. The Department of Homeland Security, the National Security Council, Department of Transportation and the National Economic Council are working collaboratively -- including with their Canadian counterparts at all levels -- to rapidly develop a set of options that match current industry demands -- including alternative routes and other scenario planning," the official said.

For nearly two weeks, Canadian truckers have been protesting a new rule that requires them to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 or face a two-week quarantine in their homes after they return across the US-Canadian border. Others have joined to rally against mask mandates, lockdowns, restrictions on gatherings and other Covid-19 preventative efforts in the country.