President Donald Trump poured cold water on the idea that the U.S. and Mexico might reach an agreement by the end of the week that would avoid a 5 percent tariff going into effect on Mexican imports.
“I think it’s more likely that the tariffs go on,” Trump said at a press conference during a state visit to London.
Trump’s comment was in stark contrast to the hopeful comments from Mexican officials that an agreement would be reached.
“I think that we have 80 percent in favor of a negotiation [that would stop tariffs from being implemented], 20 percent that maybe it’s difficult to reach an agreement,” Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard said Tuesday at a press conference at the Mexican Embassy in Washington. “I’d suppose that the imposition of tariffs can be avoided.”
Last week, Trump made a surprise announcement that the U.S. would initiate a 5 percent tariff on imports from Mexico unless Mexico does more to stop the cascade of people from Central America crossing its territory to reach the U.S. Trump said the tariffs would kick-in on June 10 and rise 5 percent per month, reach 25 percent by October.
Massachusetts police officer shot by colleague during service of restraining order
Barry Morphew to appear in court after grand jury indictment charging him with wife’s murder
Critics sound off against Trump’s ‘temporary pass’ for migrant farm, hospitality workers
‘Biden wanted me in here:’ Trump says inside caged ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ detention site
Schumer forces name change for ‘big, beautiful bill’ moments before it passes
Trump at ‘Alligator Alcatraz’: ‘Deportation’ is the only way out for illegal immigrants
Trump Says He’s Going to ‘Take a Look’ at Deporting Elon Musk
Watch: Reporter Travels to ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ and Finds Out the Name Fits
Iran-linked hackers threaten to release new trove of emails stolen from Trump’s inner circle after strikes
Elon Musk’s attacks on Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’ have ‘no basis,’ says No 2 House Republican
Suspect in Deadly Idaho Firefighter Ambush Identified: ‘Something Must Have Snapped’
Two Chinese nationals arrested for spying on US Navy personnel and bases
Victim’s Family ‘Beyond Furious’ as Bryan Kohberger Accepts Plea Deal in Idaho Quadruple Murder Case
Trump Threatens Iran in Scathing Post, Demands Thank You for Sparing Supreme Leader ‘A Very Ugly’ Death
4 Senate amendments to Trump megabill that failed — and 1 that passed
On Tuesday in London, Trump reiterated those plans. He also said that he did not think Republican lawmakers on Capitol Hill would act to block the tariffs, saying it would be “foolish” to do so.
Trump has told close aides in similar situations that he thinks it is often necessary to apply tariffs first and negotiate deals afterward in order to prove he is not bluffing. He sees tariffs as motivating other countries that want access to U.S. consumers to make concessions in negotiations.
Story cited here.
