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.
Ilhan Omar hit with expulsion threat as GOP lawmaker vows to boot her from Congress over DOJ probe
The United States of Fraud: California Scheme Used Homeless, Elderly People to Steal Billions
Breaking: Israel Orders Full West Bank Lockdown After IDF Troops Stop Terror Attack
EXCLUSIVE: Fed timeline challenges reports of migrant baby facing immigration judge alone
House Democrats make push for western Michigan seat that’s long been a GOP stronghold
Maryland ballot measure aims to eliminate the state’s last GOP-held House district
Trump sidelines sweeping Russia sanctions as GOP allies warn pressure on Putin is slipping
Trump pushback, Biden ‘disaster’ and gender surprise: 5 key moments from Kansas Senate debate
Michigan Senate race draws presidential-level star power in final stretch
Antifa supporter charged with stealing GOP campaign signs in NY race to replace Stefanik
Supreme Court blocks use of student IDs as voter identification in New Hampshire
Blanche won’t rule out DOJ blocking election certification in ‘doomsday’ scenario
Utah man charged with attempted hate crime after alleged threat to ‘blow up’ synagogue
Trump invokes Defense Production Act to boost US fuel refining capacity at Iowa rally
‘I basically snapped’: New Jersey mayor charges at resident during chaotic council meeting
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.
