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.
Sen. Warner blasts Trump admin for excluding Democrats from briefings on boat strikes: ‘Deeply troubling’
Hannity town hall: GOP candidate reveals which far-left policy he will eliminate first as governor
Trump urges GOP to ‘end the shutdown’ by going nuclear on Senate filibuster
Investigation continues after hundreds of cremated human remains discovered, recovered from Nevada desert
Ruben Gallego urges Latino voters to back Abigail Spanberger for governor as he stumps for her in Virginia
Shutdown seen from the pulpit: Inching along on a wing and a prayer
Feds arrest dozens of illegal aliens in sweeping New Jersey workplace raid
Scott Bessent Destroys Elizabeth Warren and Amy Klobuchar: ‘You Are Failures’
Trump strikes again with viral candy move during first Halloween back at White House
Conservatives Obliterate Indicted Far-Left Gen Z Congressional Candidate: ‘Katie Porter Moment’
Democrats’ Shutdown Antics Backfire Again – They’re Now Getting Called Out by Major Airlines
Joni Ernst has novel approach to solving government’s unused buildings problem: Spirit Halloween
Key Trump agency vows to claw back over $1B benefiting illegals in blue states: ‘Won’t tolerate it’
Justice Department Takes Aim at BLM and $90+ Million of George Floyd Fundraising: Report
The Billboard Top 40 Now Contains Zero Rap Songs for the First Time in Decades
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.
