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.
House Speaker Johnson captures VP JD Vance’s first visit to the Oval Office on video
Trump Urged to Continue His Pardon Spree for 21 ‘Peaceful Pro-Life Advocates’ Persecuted by Biden DOJ
High School Basketball Player Hailed as a Hero After Saving Opponent’s Life During Game
Newsom uses LA fires to criticize President Trump’s reversal of Biden-era climate emissions standards
Trump, GOP leaders meet at White House as president plans visit to NC, defends executive orders
Trump’s First Interview to Take Place in Oval Office, Fox News Legend to Host
‘Desperate’: Pastors, conservatives unleash on Episcopal bishop for ‘weaponizing’ the pulpit against Trump
Tom Homan Confirms Mass Deportation Operation Is Already Underway, Sends Special Message to Sanctuary Cities
Trump praises ‘inspirational’ letter from Biden
DOJ to investigate state or local officials who obstruct immigration enforcement: memo
Biden returns to California vacation spot after leaving office
New Secretary of State Marco Rubio pauses refugee operations, ramps up visa vetting
Trump scraps ‘Bidenbucks’ voter turnout order. The GOP still wants documents
Sen. Thune suggests staying through weekend to confirm Trump picks after Dems delay votes: ‘Shouldn’t be hard’
Freed Israeli hostages say they were held in UN camp
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.
