Mexican Officials Warn Trump Tariffs Could Exacerbate Immigration Problem

Mexican diplomats warned Monday that the Trump administration’s threat to impose tariffs on all Mexican imports to the U.S. until the country does more to control the flow of illegal immigrants could have the opposite effect of exacerbating the situation at the southern border.

The move may well be “counterproductive,” said Mexican ambassador to the U.S. Martha Barcena during emergency talks in Washington, D.C. on Monday. “Without Mexico’s efforts, an additional quarter million migrants could arrive at the U.S. border in 2019.”

Trump’s announcement, made at the end of last month on Twitter, called for a 5 percent tariff on all products from Mexico to take effect on June 10 and continue until “the Illegal Immigration problem is remedied.” The U.S. will progressively raise tariffs to 25 percent by October if Mexico refuses to take action on immigration, according to the White House.

Noem says ‘worst of the worst’ arrested in NYC raid targeting criminal illegal immigrants

California man submits ballot initiative asking voters if state should become its own country

Texas Gov. Abbott orders DPS tactical strike teams to assist federal illegal immigration enforcement efforts

Six servicemembers challenge Trump’s transgender military executive order

JFK’s daughter says cousin RFK Jr is a ‘predator,’ ‘willfully misinformed’ and ‘unqualified’ to lead HHS

Kash Patel’s run-ins with the law put under Senate microscope before confirmation hearing

Tom Homan Takes on the Pope, Exposes Vatican Hypocrisy: ‘Stick to the Catholic Church and Fix That!’

Outrage Erupts as Initial Tulsi Gabbard Confirmation Vote Set to Be Held in Secret

Trump administration touts 969 illegal immigrant arrests in one day: ‘HERE ARE SOME OF THE WORST’

Trump White House Announces Findings Regarding Mysterious Drone Sightings

To RFK JR.: Undo This Federal Policy That Exacerbates Homelessness – It’ll Help the Mentally Ill

Grassley and Durbin demand Trump explain IG dismissals: ‘Law must be followed’

Senators sound alarm over growing Chinese influence at Panama Canal

Trump seeks to curtail trans procedures for minors with new executive order

‘Full court press’: Freshman GOP lawmaker reveals blueprint to flip script on green energy mandates

“Slapping tariffs, along with a decision to cancel aid programs to the northern Central American countries, could have a counterproductive effect and would not reduce migrations flows,” Mexican foreign-affairs secretary Marcelo Ebrard said. “The tariffs could be very costly for the U.S. economy, for consumers in the United States, and the Mexican economy.”

Mexico’s agriculture secretary, Víctor Manuel Villalobos, said a 5 percent tariff on Mexican products headed to the U.S. would cut such trade by $1.4 billion annually.

Mexico is “willing to continue to work with the U.S. to address issues of common concern,” Ebrard said. “We believe our countries can reach a deal on how to face a matter on which our approaches are different.”

The officials also highlighted Mexico’s current efforts to control illegal immigration to the U.S., with Barcena noting that the country has deported more than 80,000 migrants back to their countries of origin. Mexico is also allowing nearly 9,000 migrants to stay in Mexico as they await asylum hearings in the U.S., and hosting another 18,000 migrants who plan to apply for asylum as soon as availability allows.